4:50pm Friday 8th March 2013
A FATHER-of-two has been cleared over the drowning of a fellow Brit tourist 16 years ago.
Kitchen fitter Darren Sapstead was acquitted by a Spanish jury of any involvement in Garry Walton’s death after five hours of deliberation.
Mr Sapstead had been accused, but found innocent, of pushing Mr Walton to his death during a pleasure boat booze cruise in November 1996.
Mr Sapstead of Thornborough Avenue, South Woodham Ferrers, had always protected his innocence.
Speaking at his trial, he said: “It wasn't me that threw Garry overboard. "I was the only person that went to help him. "I threw a life ring to him and I was taking my shoes and T-shirt off to jump in after him when the guy arranging the party games stopped me."
Mr Walton, 21, of Leeds, died after falling from a boat off the Tenerife resort of Playa de Las Americas after an afternoon of drinking games.
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