Southsea teenager "bragged" after "slicing up" 18-year-old Cameron Hamilton who died in Bournemouth fight

Thomas Betteridge, who is now aged 20, is currently on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court after being charged with the manslaughter of Cameron Hamilton, who was 18 at the time of his death.

The teenager, of Bournemouth, suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest following an altercation in The Square in the Dorset seaside resort just before 1.30am on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Betteridge, from Southsea, has also been charged with possessing a kitchen knife.

John Price KC, prosecuting, told the jury that during the incident, Betteridge had been pushed into a bush by Mr Hamilton before the defendant proceeded to stab him.

The defendant then fled the scene with a second teenager, leaving a trainer behind.

The prosecutor told the court that Betteridge was heard by a witness saying: “I sliced him up, I sliced him up.” The eye witness added that he had spoken the words “almost in a boastful and proud manner” and said that he was “laughing a little bit”.

He said that the second teenager also “let out a childish giggle”.

Betteridge changed his top and trainers with friends at the scene before being stopped by police, with Mr Price saying he expressed “righteous indignation” during the search by filming officers and posting the video to Instagram.

The prosecution said the defendant has claimed he acted in self-defence during the fatal incident, and although he regretted it, it was something he “had to do as he believed it to be necessary to defend himself”.

Mr Price added: “The defence case is this was a lawful act by Thomas Betteridge, a lawful killing done in self-defence.

“It’s to be noted that the first thing that Mr Betteridge had done after the killing was to brag about it and the next thing he did in less than three minutes was to try and change his appearance.”

Betteridge has denied the charges before him and the trial continues.

More updates to follow.