Claude Escott Cann

Claude Escott Cann died following a fight.

A man was charged with his manslaughter but acquitted.

It was heard that they had had a fight at a dance and that Claude Cann had died the following day. It was said that during the fight the other youth had hit Claude Cann in the nose, causing it to bleed.

However, it was heard that Claude Cann had died from diabetes. The prosecution said that his death had been accelerated by the blow, but the court heard that Claude Cann's post-mortem revealed that his brain was perfectly normal and as such there was doubt as to whether the blow had had any effect in accelerating his death. It was then said that having regard to that doubt that it would not be safe for any jury to convict the youth and he was discharged.