A BASILDON man and his partner have been freed on bail after being convicted of serious offences that led to the death of a Wickford dad of two outside a Billericay bar.

The trial of Dennie Griffiths, 28, of Paynters Mead, and Jade Chambers, 24, of Hermitage Drive, concluded at Basildon Crown Court today (Tuesday, 21 September) with the pair found guilty by a jury. Griffiths was found guilty of manslaughter and Chambers guilty of assisting an offender.

Matthew Bion, 31, died nine days after the incident on 18 August 2019 outside Reids Bar on Laindon Road which he suffered traumatic brain injuries.

Griffiths had denied punching Mr Bion, claiming it was a push in self-defence. Chambers was convicted of assisting Griffiths by telling him to hide from the police after he had fled the scene.

The two week trial ended with a unanimous verdict against both of the accused. Sentencing of the pair has been adjourned to allow for reports to be prepared, and judge Ian Graham decreed that because of their previous good character and having had no problems with court appearances prior to and during the trial granted them bail.

The jury had heard Griffiths and Chambers had gone with one group to the bar, while Mr Bion, his partner, and their friends were part of another group not known to each other. The groups clashed and during a disturbance Griffiths, who had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time, punched Mr Bion, knocking him out before he hit the ground.

The court heard as Mr Bion and his friends left the bar in the early hours, an argument broke out between two groups who had been in the same venue that night. One of these groups contained Griffiths and Chambers.

Mr Bion was trying to calm the situation when he was punched by Griffiths, causing him to fall to the ground. Griffiths then ran away.

An ambulance treated Mr Bion at the scene for a serious head injury before conveying him to hospital. When officers arrived at Laindon Road, they arrested Chambers on suspicion of affray. She had helped Griffiths to leave the scene, thereby avoiding police.

A few hours later, Griffiths was arrested at his home address on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. Mr Bion , from Wickford, remained in hospital in a serious condition but died of his injuries on Tuesday, 27 August 2019.