A MAN has today been found not guilty of the murder of Anton Jardin following an assault at a house party in Chelmsford.

Sam Martin, 26, of Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, was found not guilty of murder at Chelmsford Crown Court but had already pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Jardin on the V Festival weekend last August.

Mr Jardin, 39, from Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, got involved in an argument with another man in the early hours of August 19.

When it had almost finished Martin, who had consumed a cocktail of drinks and drugs, decided to attack the man he thought was at fault.

Martin assaulted Mr Jardin and despite emergency aid from people at the party and paramedics, he died.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Insp Mark Hall said: “Anton Jardin was a talented and popular man.

“He was not someone who sought out trouble or got involved in violence.

“Anton died as a result of speaking up for someone else. He was doing what he thought was the right thing and his death in such circumstances is a tragedy.” Det Ch Insp added: “The incident started with an ineffectual fight between Anton and another man, little more than a scuffle.

“At a time when the two men had already been separated Sam Martin chose to involve himself in a wholly unnecessary way. Sam Martin’s actions were violent, disproportionate and without justification.

“He must now carry responsibility for his actions, and the consequences that followed.”

Mr Jardin’s mother Jill Shortall, brother Dominic Shortall and sister Liz Moore have described him as an “incredibly creative person”.

A statement said he was passionate about his work in graphic design, dedicated to health and fitness and ran the London Marathon in 2010 for a local hospice charity.

It added: “Anton was killed in August last year; no family should have to go through the excruciating pain and horror we have had since then. Anton was a huge part of our lives and we miss him dearly; things will never be the same and our hearts have been torn out.

“Anton was loved dearly by everyone, the fact his funeral was attended by over two hundred people is testament to that.

“Due to the actions of Sam Martin, Anton died a horrific and lonely death. He had so much to offer and his bright future has been violently stolen. It is so sad we never had an opportunity to say goodbye to him.

“Whilst we are disappointed with the verdict we would like to thank the CPS and the Police for their dedicated efforts in this case.”

Martin will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court tomorrow.