A man has been found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the death of another man who was discovered in a canal in Birmingham six years ago. Cain Watson, 33, was initially charged with murder last year regarding the incident involving 48-year-old Darren Round, whose body was located in the water near Masshouse Lane in Kings Norton on February 15, 2020.
Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury acquitted Watson of murder but convicted him of manslaughter by an 11 to one majority verdict. The victim, Mr. Round, was found in the canal by members of the public using a towpath in Kings Norton. A post-mortem examination revealed multiple fractures to his face, ribs, and neck, along with significant brain damage, indicating he died from a combination of immersion and blunt force trauma.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Mr. Round had been subjected to a severe assault before entering the water. CCTV footage captured the final interactions between Mr. Round and Watson, who were walking in opposite directions along the canal path. The prosecution alleged that Mr. Round had been assaulted with heavy blows to his face and chest, with pressure applied to his neck.
Watson was eventually identified and interviewed by the police, initially denying involvement in Mr. Round’s death. However, DNA evidence linked him to the victim’s jacket, and he later confessed to engaging in a physical altercation with Mr. Round but claimed self-defense using reasonable force. Watson awaits sentencing for his involvement in the incident.
