Youths cleared of murder

Four youths accused of using a knuckleduster to beat to death an antique dealer who had got lost on the Tube were cleared of murder at the Old Bailey today but convicted of violent disorder.

Thomas Scott, 35, who was visiting London from Newark, Nottinghamshire, was punched with the brutal weapon and kicked to the ground as he left Kentish Town tube station with his half brother.

The jury found Mohammed Ahmed, 20 from Kentish Town, and three youths, two aged 16 and one 17-year-old from Kentish Town and Regent's Park who cannot be named for legal reasons, guilty only of the lesser charge. They will be sentenced next month.

The Mr Scott's brother, Nicholas, 29, condemned the killers as "a bunch of cowards" for attacking the " effervescent, independent and popular" victim.

The Scott brothers had been out drinking to celebrate Nicholas's birthday last October before they they took the last Tube home to Hendon from the Angel but got on the wrong branch of the Northern Line.

They got off at Kentish Town and were trying to hail a mini cab outside the station when the attack took place.

A gang of youths rushed from a fast food shop to attack the brothers.

Mr Scott was beaten senseless and died later in hospital of head wounds, Nicholas Scott suffered a broken nose.

A knuckleduster was found at the scene.