The father of a Great Yarmouth man who was stabbed to death in the street has said justice had not been done “at all” after the woman responsible for his death was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

Katy Bown, 18, who lived at Stanley Terrace stabbed neighbour 21-year-old Shane Boulton in the heart after an argument involving him and his partner - during which she was pushed to the face by Mr Boulton - on June 19 last year.

Norwich Crown Court had heard Bown, who was 17 at the time and denied murder, claimed she stabbed Mr Boulton by accident in self-defence to prevent him attacking her and was “truly sorry”.

Yesterday a jury of 10 women and two men returned a majority verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, by 10 to two, after more than 16 and a half hours of deliberation.

Bown, who appeared teary after the verdict was announced, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced in two weeks, to allow further psychiatric reports, but was warned by Judge Peter Jacobs she faces a “substantial prison sentence”.

Speaking outside court yesterday, Mr Boulton’s father Ronnie, of Havelock Road, Yarmouth, said he was disappointed with the verdict.

He said: “No justice done - none at all. We knew it was going to be manslaughter, there’s no point in worrying about it. We’ve got to rebuild our lives up now and carry on.”

Ronnie, who wanted to thank the police for their support throughout, added it had been “really hard” coming to terms with the death of his son who would “be really missed”.

A statement released on behalf of the family, including Ronnie and sister Donna Podmore, said: “It has been a difficult few months for me and my family and although nothing can bring back my son Shane, we’re disappointed with the result but we understand there were factors in the case which culminated in this result.

“I know that other people were involved in the incident, but ultimately she stabbed him and must serve whatever punishment is given. Although we will never be happy with the sentence because we have lost our loved one, he has lost his life and she still has hers.

“We as a family have lost our son and brother and would like now to have the opportunity to grieve in peace. Shane was a loving son, a wonderful brother and a fantastic dad, he will be sadly missed.”

Speaking outside court, Det Chf Insp Jes Fry from the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team (MIT), said: “From my point of view it’s a difficult decision for the jury. It was a 10 to two majority so it was obviously difficult for them to come to an agreed decision.

“It obviously depends on what was in her (Bown’s) mind at the time which is a very difficult thing for anyone to assess. It’s going to be a difficult thing for the family to deal with. They will continue to receive support and our thoughts are with them at this time.”