Man, 21, pleads guilty to manslaughter of 'completely innocent and much-loved family man' Stephen Harrington - as another suspect dies

A man has admitted killing a 'completely innocent and much-loved family man' in Emsworth.
By Matt Pole
Published 23rd Jan 2023, 20:26 BST
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Stephen Harrington, 47, was found with a serious head injury on land along Marlpit Lane on July 23, 2022.

He was taken to hospital but died two days later on July 25.

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Stephen Harrington, 47, of Rowlands Castle, who died after an assault in Emsworth. Picture: Sussex Police.Stephen Harrington, 47, of Rowlands Castle, who died after an assault in Emsworth. Picture: Sussex Police.
Stephen Harrington, 47, of Rowlands Castle, who died after an assault in Emsworth. Picture: Sussex Police.

An investigation was launched and three people – Thomas Goldring, Joseph Butler, and Tarin Linfield – were subsequently charged with his murder.

They had been remanded in prison to stand trial on January 23, Sussex Police said.

Police said Goldring, 21, died in December 2022. As a result, any statements provided by him as part of the investigation could no longer be used as evidence in court.

At Lewes Crown Court on Monday (January 23), Linfield, 21, of Common Road, Hambrook, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to a charge of manslaughter and conspiracy to steal, police reported. Sussex Police said this was accepted by the court.

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Hundreds of mourners outside All Saints Church, Catherington Lane, Horndean for Stephen Harrington's funeral Picture: Habibur RahmanHundreds of mourners outside All Saints Church, Catherington Lane, Horndean for Stephen Harrington's funeral Picture: Habibur Rahman
Hundreds of mourners outside All Saints Church, Catherington Lane, Horndean for Stephen Harrington's funeral Picture: Habibur Rahman

Police said Butler, 23, of Priors Leaze Lane, Hambrook, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to a charge of conspiracy to steal. This was accepted by the court, Sussex Police added.

Police said Linfield and Butler have been remanded in custody for sentencing on March 3, 2023.

It was the prosecution’s case that the suspects attended Marlpit Lane that night to steal from Mr Harrington, Sussex Police added.

Sussex Police said the investigation determined Stephen died as a result of a severe blow to the head, believed to be caused by a piece of wood.

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Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Hicks, Senior Investigating Officer, said: ‘This is a tragic case that has resulted in the sudden and heart-breaking death of a completely innocent and much-loved family man.

‘From the outset, we’ve had to rely on the defendants’ accounts to try and piece together the events of that night. Unfortunately, only those who were there will ever know exactly what happened.

‘Our thoughts continue to be with Stephen’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time, and I hope this conviction of manslaughter will bring them some sense of closure.’

Mr Harrington's family described him as a ‘devoted and fiercely loyal’ dad, and hundreds of mourners attended his funeral in October.