Four bouncers have been acquitted of a charge of manslaughter over the death of a man they restrained outside a Newquay nightclub.

Graham Lutey aged 34, Richard Favetta aged 29, Lewis Bowns aged 25 and Ian Harold aged 45 years, all from the Newquay area, were charged with the offence of manslaughter.

The charges related to an incident in Newquay in April 2013 when police were called in the early hours of Saturday, April 27 to an incident at the Sailors nightclub where officers found a 49-year-old local man Michael Kearns unconscious and not breathing. Mr Kearns, of Newquay, later died.

Det Insp Stuart Ellis said: “This has been a tragic incident for all those concerned not least the family and loved ones of Mr Kearns. A thorough and comprehensive investigation has been conducted into this incident and I am satisfied that all the available evidence has been carefully considered. I therefore respect the decisions reached by the jury today.”

Mr Kearns’ family said: “Mick Kearns was a giant of a man with a personality and heart of gold to match. He was a loving partner, father and grandfather. His life was about his family, fishing and the holiday park where he lived and fished. He was a generous man who drew pleasure from helping others, nothing was ever too much trouble.

"So great was his popularity that after his death a wooden bench, as a monument to his memory, has been placed by his favourite lake. Mick loved and was so proud of his two grandchildren. Shortly before he passed he was overjoyed at the news that another grandson was on the way. He would be even more proud to know that his second has been named after him, such a shame he is not here to see it.”