Manslaughter Conviction for Twins Following Drug Money Dispute

A pair of twin brothers have been found guilty of the manslaughter of an individual they assaulted in his Hull residence, though they were acquitted of murder. Shane Boxall, 44, was attacked at his home on Alaska Street shortly before 06:00 BST on 25 April and subsequently died in hospital two days later. During proceedings at Hull Crown Court, it was revealed that Mr Boxall, identified as a heroin user, had reportedly taken funds from twins Kailum and Kieran Nightingale when they had intended to purchase Class A drugs from him. The brothers gained unauthorized entry into Mr Boxall’s home and struck him, resulting in injuries that proved fatal. Kailum Nightingale, aged 26, residing on Poplar Grove, and Kieran Nightingale, also 26, residing on Vermont Crescent in Hull, are scheduled for sentencing in January. Evidence presented to the court indicated that Mr Boxall’s death resulted from a singular blow to the head sustained during the assault by the twins. Prosecutor James Bourne-Arton KC informed the jury that the Nightingale twins “barged” into the 44-year-old’s residence around 05:45, after which Mr Boxall secured himself within his bedroom. Mr Bourne-Arton further stated that the two individuals subsequently “smashed the bedroom door down to get to Mr Boxall” prior to Kailum delivering the fatal punch. Subsequent to receiving the strike to his head, Mr Boxall collapsed to the ground and experienced a seizure. Peter Makepeace, the defence barrister representing Kailum, asserted that Mr Boxall had been in possession of a knife as he retreated into the bedroom, but relinquished it upon encountering the twins. Mr Makepeace argued that Kailum had “reasonably struck him to retrieve his stolen money” and “couldn’t have possibly known the consequences”. Katherine Goddard, acting as defence for Kieran, informed the court: “No one says they saw Kieran deliver that fatal blow, nor make any movements to deliver that fatal blow.” According to Mr Makepeace, the brothers remained in the living room following the assault and were subsequently compelled to leave the residence by a flatmate. The sentencing of the twins is scheduled to take place at Hull Crown Court on 9 January.