A MAN who killed his cousin in a row outside a family party in Coulsdon has been cleared of murder.

Father-of-five Paul Coleman, 35, died in August last year from head injuries he sustained by diving out of the way of a 20kg concrete block thrown at his head by Peter Attwell.

Attwell, 32, was cleared of murder by a jury this morning (Friday), but had earlier admitted manslaughter.

Judge Anthony Morris QC remanded Attwell in custody until he is sentenced on March 9.

During the week-long trial at the Old Bailey, the court was told that a family feud had boiled over at a 30th birthday party thrown by Mr Coleman’s half-sister, Simone on August 13 last year.

Attwell attended the bash, at Brigstock Road in Coulsdon, with half-brothers James and Bobby Game and was even pictured with his arms around his victim, said prosecutor Jeremy Donne QC.

Violence flared when the left the party at about 2.30am the following morning, Mr Donne said.

"There had been some arguments among those present during the party and an argument continued outside," Mr Donne added.

"That argument ended when the defendant picked up a concrete block and ran in excess of 80 metres with it along the road, before hurling it at the head of his victim.

"He did that despite being warned not to, and an attempt had been made to stop him."

Neighbour Derek Swift described being woken by a scuffle in the street and watching in horror as he saw Attwell grab the block from a nearby front garden, run after his victim and ‘slam it down’ on Mr Coleman’s head.

As he watched Attwell sprint down the street he heard Bobby Game shout: 'Don’t do it, Pete, I’m begging you,' the court heard.

Mr Coleman, from Wallington, fell to the ground, and died in hospital the following day.

However, a postmortem later showed the breeze block could not have inflicted the fatal injury.

"It appears most probable that the injury was the result of the victim trying to avoid the block, but losing his balance and falling down to the ground and hitting his head on the road," Mr Donne said.

Attwell was said to have been ‘helpful and well-behaved’ at the party, with his mood only changing when he left.

In evidence, Attwell said he had lost his temper after being insulted during the confrontation outside the house.

Attwell, of Empire Square in Borough, south-east London, admitted manslaughter but denied murder on the basis he had not intended to cause Mr Coleman serious bodily harm.