THE family of an Airbus worker who died after a pub car park punch in Wrexham have said they are shocked after a man was cleared of his manslaughter.

Neil Graham Edwards was out wetting his new baby's head in September when he was punched to the face outside the Acton pub in Wrexham.

He suffered severe head injuries and died nine days later.

Last week Paul Humphreys, 35, of Penrhyn Drive in Gwersyllt was cleared by a jury at Mold Crown Court after a one and a half hour retirement.

The men had met while working at the Airbus plant in Broughton.

Jury members accepted that the punch was not unlawful and that Humphreys was defending himself.

Judge John Rogers QC told Humphreys that he could be discharged from the dock and he wept as he left the court chamber.

After the hearing  the devastated family of Neil Edwards expressed their shock at the verdict.

Neil’s wife Dawn spoke of her concern at the small amount of time the jury took to consider the evidence.

She said: “I have lost all faith in the justice system.”

Before the trial Mr Edwards' family had paid an emotional tribute to him – speaking of the tremendous grief they were still suffering and of their heartache of having to face Christmas without him.

In a statement they said: “Christmas was a special time for Neil and he always made such an effort to make it magical for the children.”

Family and friends described Mr Edwards as being full of life and a devoted family man.

Mr Edwards leaves Dawn, his wife for 15 years, and children Morgan, eight, Niamh, five and Harvey .