THE HEROIN-addicted burglar cleared of the manslaughter of a have-a-go hero pensioner was "appalled" to hear of the older man's death, a close friend has claimed.

Michael Cooper, 23, of Barrett Court, who pleaded guilty to burgling 76-year-old Edwin Brixton's neighbour, told his friend Keith Lawrence in a letter that he was "very sorry" that Mr Brixton died after rugby-tackling him as he left the house.

"He was appalled to hear that Mr Brixton had died," said Mr Lawrence, 57. "He said it would be something he would have to live with for the rest of his life."

Mr Lawrence, who is Cooper's neighbour and visited him in prison, believes the case should never have been brought to court.

"The Brixton family and the Cooper family have had to go through a case that had no merit to it at all," he claimed. "Michael didn't think he was going to get a fair trial because of the way it was being handled.

"He maintained his innocence regarding the manslaughter from the very start, but he felt that no-one was listening to him. This has stigmatised him as a violent man, which he is not."

Cooper's mother, Alyson Addis, 44, echoed Mr Lawrence's opinion.

"This should not have been brought this far," she said. "Michael would never have hurt that man. He's needed help for a long time, and he hasn't had it. Hopefully, he will now be able to get into a drug rehabilitation place."

But detectives working on the case said they were disappointed when Mr Justice David Poole dismissed the manslaughter case on Tuesday.

Detective Sergeant Nigel Lee, of Basingstoke CID, said: "Mr Brixton was an extremely brave man who died doing what he considered to be his duty to his neighbours and friends, and this was commended by his Lordship.

"Mr Brixton's family have asked me to say that they feel that, if it had not been for the actions of Mr Cooper, Mr Brixton would still be with his family today."

At the Winchester Crown Court hearing, the jury heard Cooper had returned to the scene after Mr Brixton collapsed to pick up a bottle of methadone he had dropped. He walked off without going to the stricken OAP's aid.

Mr Justice Poole told the jury that he felt there was not enough evidence to convict Cooper of manslaughter - a charge he denied.

"Sometimes a result may be inhuman and, in moral terms, difficult to take," he said. "I hope you understand the legal principles on which this verdict has been decided."

Cooper will be sentenced for the burglary offence on December 13.