Man killed pensioner after forcing way into home

A man has been found guilty of killing a 72-year-old after forcing his way into the pensioner's home.

Avon and Somerset Police said Stephen Ridgeway, who died in hospital a month after the incident, told police officers he had been attacked by two men who demanded drugs from him.

Ridgeway already suffered from breathing problems before the incident, but the chest trauma from the attack ultimately led to his death, police said.

Wayne Milsom, from Keynsham, was acquitted of Ridgeway's murder last summer, but the jury failed to reach a verdict relating to manslaughter. The 51-year-old was convicted of the 72-year-old's manslaughter on Tuesday, following a two-week retrial at Bristol Crown Court.

The court heard that after calling paramedics to his home on 3 November 2024, Ridgeway told police he was attacked after telling the two men in his house he did not know anything about drugs.

Police said he told officers he had been kicked in the back, given a lump on his forehead and received a scratch to his neck from being threatened with his own kitchen knife.

Ridgeway told police he had broken his back the previous year and was in significant pain.

Doctors treating Ridgeway after the attack found he had six fractured ribs. He died in hospital on 7 December 2024.

Avon and Somerset Police said DNA from Milsom was found on the top Ridgeway was wearing and on items at the victim's house including a hammer, a champagne bottle and two knives.

Milsom admitted being at the house when the 72-year-old was injured, police said, but denied manslaughter and claimed Ridgeway instigated the physical altercation.

Det Ch Insp James Wasiak said Ridgeway "was a slight man in ill health, and the jury simply did not believe Milsom's claims that he was the aggressor".

"This investigation has been unusual in that the jury was able to hear Stephen Ridgeway's story told by himself on the day he was attacked, when he did not realise his injuries would lead to his death.

"Stephen was a vulnerable older man who deserved to be able to live out his days safely in his own home.

"He said himself it was well-known in the community that he had his struggles with drug addiction, but also said that was in the past," Wasiak added.

Milsom was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 21 October.

Ryan Robbins, 35 and from Keynsham, also stood trial in 2025 accused of offences relating to Ridgeway's death and was acquitted on all counts.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.