Brothers change pleas in rocket killing case

TWO BROTHERS charged with murdering a spectator at an international football match in Cardiff changed their pleas yesterday and admitted manslaughter.

Kerry Still, 35, and his brother Andrew McAllister, 31, both of Wrexham, Clwyd, had denied murdering John Hill, 67, a retired postman, who died instantly when a powerful marine distress rocket struck him at the stadium, shortly after the World Cup qualifying match between Wales and Romania last November.

After behind-the-scenes legal discussions at Cardiff Crown Court, the pair offered guilty pleas to manslaughter, which were accepted by the prosecution.

The judge, Mr Justice Schiemann, then discharged the jury from giving verdicts on the murder charge. He adjourned sentence on the brothers while social and other reports were prepared.

Still was released on conditional bail but his brother was remanded in custody after a bail application was refused.