James House QC, defending, said Murray had instinctively tried to defend himself in the heat of the moment, forgetting the blade was in his hand. However Phil Bradley QC, prosecuting, claimed Murray had deliberately stabbed Ryan in the chest.

The court was told that Murray had admitted to friends that he had stabbed someone and that his mobile phone and clothes had been disposed of. However he told police, via a written statement, that he couldn't recall exactly what happened as he had been "attacked" and was "intoxicated".

After a period of deliberation, the jury found the defendant not guilty on the count of murder and also on a count of manslaughter. High Court judge, The Honourable Mr Justice Goose, closed the case by saying the jury had made its decision and there was nothing further to say.

Both families left the courtroom in tears and disbelief after the jury read out its verdict, with Ryan's parents saying the verdict was "disgusting".