A MAN is facing jail after being found guilty of murdering Stratford man Tristram Wallace.
Neil John Potter, of Clopton Road, had previously denied killing the 36-year-old former carpet fitter – claiming he acted in self-defence.
But a jury of eight men and four women returned a unanimous guilty verdict and ruled Potter, 37, had intended to kill or seriously harm Mr Wallace during the afternoon of ?June 22?.
As the verdict was read out, Potter, who was wearing a grey suit, stood impassively in the dock.
The jury are yet to reach verdicts on the three other defendants – Toney Jelf, 39, Peter Mallon, 42, and Donna Windsor, 38, all of the Stratford area.
They have been sent out to continue their deliberations by the Judge, The Honourable Mr Justice Timothy Holroyde.
During the course of the trial, the jury heard how Mr Wallace died from a cardiac arrest after being subjected to two separate attacks in Stratford town centre.
James Curtis QC, prosecuting, told the court the attacks were a “punishment beating” based on the mistaken belief Mr Wallace had cheated them out of a drugs deal.
