A man has been found guilty of unlawfully killing a 23-year-old man from Lymington in October last year

Today (30 May), Draven Jewell, 21, from Flushards, Lymington, was found guilty of manslaughter of Max Maguire by a jury at Winchester Crown Court. 

They found him not guilty of murder, following a month-long trial.  Jewell had previously pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. 

The court heard that Max Maguire had been stabbed after a fight broke out in an alleyway near the entrance of the Royal British Legion Club in High Street, Lymington, at around midnight on Friday 22 October 2021. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.  During the incident, another 23-year-old man was also stabbed, suffering life-changing injuries, which required several emergency operations.

A 23-year-old woman also suffered serious injuries to her chest which needed hospital treatment.  Jewell fled the scene and returned home, where he was later arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning (23 October 2021). 

Jewell was also found guilty of one count of causing Grievous Bodily Harm with intent of a 23-year-old man and one count of causing grievous bodily harm against the 23-year-old woman. 

He will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on 18 July.  Detective Chief Inspector Rod Kenny led the investigation.

He said: “The verdict comes at the end of a seven month investigation and whilst Draven Jewell claimed he acted in lawful self-defence, in passing their verdict today, the jury found this not to be the case. 

“Draven Jewell’s use of a knife that fateful night has taken a life far too soon. 

“Our thoughts remain with Max’s family, his friends and the two people seriously injured during the course of this devastating incident.” 

Garon Jewell, 19, from Flushards, Lymington, was also charged with murder, manslaughter, two counts of grievous bodily harm (Section 18) and two counts of grievous bodily harm (Section 20). 

During the trial, new evidence came to light that resulted in the Crown Prosecution Service dropping all charges against him, with no further action to be taken.