Miner guilty of killing NUM man

A strikebreaker pleaded guilty today to the manslaughter of a former National Union of Mineworkers activist who was attacked outside his home following a row at a pub.

Robert Boyer, 43, admitted killing Keith Frogson, 62, who was found fatally wounded in the pit village of Annesley Woodhouse, Notts, after a night out last July.

Boyer also admitted arson and recklessly endangering life, having set fire to the grandfather's home almost two weeks after the killing while Mr Frogson's daughter, Rachel, and her partner were there.

Nottingham Crown Court heard today that Boyer crossed picket lines during the Eighties miners' strike while Mr Frogson remained loyal to the NUM.

At the time of the attack, Boyer was suffering from a delusion that Mr Frogson was persecuting him and trying to destroy his home.

The defendant was not charged with murder as he had been found to be mentally ill.

The case was adjourned until later today.