Teen accused of killing dad with punch walks free An Aberdeen teenager walked free from the High Court this afternoon after he was acquitted of killing a man with a single punch.

An Aberdeen teenager walked free from the High Court thisafternoon after he was acquitted of killing a man with a singlepunch.

The case against Craig Hobin was found not proven by a jury of 13women and two men.

As the verdict was read out the wife of the victim Andrew Moorcollapsed, wailing at the news.

And later the dead man's family said they had endured a "livingnightmare" over their tragic loss.

Hobin, 18, of 8 Seaview Place, Bridge of Don, showed no emotion asthe majority verdict was returned.

The teenager had denied the culpable homicide of 33-year-old MrMoor, and claimed he had punched him once in defence of his ownfather, Michael Hobin, believing he had been attacked by Mr Moor.

Before the jury reached their verdict, the court had hear thetragedy unfolded after the 18th birthday party of Lewis MacLeod lastyear at the Royal British Legion in Bridge of Don's Balgownie Road.

Many guests were outside on the road at the end of the night.

The jury heard Liverpudlian Mr Moor, an Everton and Aberdeen fan,had been involved in an argument with another party goer, Colin Ord.

The pair were said to have traded obscenities, possibly aboutfootball, and Michael Hobin stepped in to calm the situation down.

He gave evidence for the prosecution that he saw his son Craigstrike Mr Moor.

Mr Hobin senior said he then took his son away from the scenewhile Mr Moor lay unconscious, having been felled by the one blow.

He died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary from massive head injuries.

The trial heard Craig Hobin had been concerned when he heard, themorning after the incident, that Mr Moor was fighting for his lifeand he voluntarily went to the police.

He admitted punching Mr Moor once, to get him away from his dad,the court heard.

This afternoon the teenager left the court surrounded by hisfamily, without making any comment.

Mr Moor's 36-year-old wife Pauline had to be helped from thecourt, sobbing loudly, as the verdict was returned after two and ahalf hours' of deliberation.

As her screams echoed through the corridor outside Court No 1, atleast one member of the jury also wiped away the tears.

In a statement issued on behalf of Mr Moor's wife, their two sons,Jamie, 13, and Lee, 6, and friends, the dead man's the family said ithad been an emotional roller coaster.

They said they had been "unable to begin the process of grievingand been left suspended in a void."

They said they had been trying to cope with the realisation thatthe man who "touched the hearts of everyone he met" was no longerwith them.

They said they hoped that the "devastating" case would highlight "arguing over football is a pointless activity".

They said Mr Moor had died in an incident that had "disastrousresults".

Referring to Craig Hobin they said he "will continue to see theworld evolve and watch his loved ones grow and flourish. Andy nolonger has that luxury."