Two Convicted of Murder and Manslaughter in Connection with the Death of Macaulay Branighan

Today (Monday 20th April), Stephen Lee Ward aged 25 was convicted of the murder of Macaulay Branighan in October 2025, and 22-year-old Sam Tweddle, of Kimblesworth Walk in Stockton, was convicted of manslaughter.

27-year-old Macaulay, from Stockton, died following an incident at Westerton Green in Stockton on Sunday 12^th October 2025.

At Teesside Crown Court today, a trial concluded when the jury found Ward guilty of murder and Tweddle guilty of manslaughter.

Image of Macaulay Branighan released by his family - above 

Macaulay’s family today issued the below statement, and the below image of Macaulay following the verdicts in court.

“The events of Sunday 12^th October 2025 will stay with us forever. Macaulay was taken from us in the most devastating way. He was loved deeply, and his loss has changed our lives forever. Today’s verdict does not ease our grief, but it does bring a measure of justice for him.

“Our focus now is on honouring Macaulay’s memory and supporting one another as a family.”

Sentencing of Ward and Tweddle (pictured below) will be at a later date.