A man has been found guilty of manslaughter in connection with the death of a man who was discovered in a canal in Birmingham six years ago. Cain Watson, 33, faced murder charges last year regarding the incident involving 48-year-old Darren Round, whose body was located near Masshouse Lane in Kings Norton on February 15, 2020.

After denying the accusations, Watson stood trial at Birmingham Crown Court recently. The court proceedings resulted in Watson being acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter by a majority decision of 11 to one.

The body of Mr. Round was found by members of the public along a towpath in Kings Norton in February 2020. A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed multiple injuries, including facial, rib, and neck fractures, along with severe brain damage. The cause of death was determined to be a combination of drowning and blunt force trauma.

During the trial, it was disclosed that CCTV footage captured the final movements of Mr. Round before his disappearance. The recordings showed him and Watson walking in opposite directions along the canal path, with shouting heard shortly after Watson’s presence in the area. No other individuals were observed nearby at the time.

Prosecutor Ben Williams KC stated that Mr. Round likely endured a brutal assault involving significant blows to his face, chest, and neck. Watson was eventually identified through a media appeal and confessed to engaging in a physical altercation with Mr. Round, claiming self-defense as the motive for his actions. However, Watson’s DNA was found on the victim’s clothing.

The sentencing for Watson is pending, with a later date set for the court to determine the appropriate legal consequences for his involvement in the incident.