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John Buchanan to be sentenced following death of Archie Ward

The man who killed a love rival after throwing a knife through an open car window is due to be sentenced later today.

John Buchanan, 22, was acquitted of murdering Archie Ward after a feud turned fatal, but was convicted of manslaughter.

The "love triangle of death" jury heard how the blade pierced the 40-year-old's right leg severing an artery as he drove away after a confrontation between the two men.

John Buchanan was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Picture: Kent Police
John Buchanan was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Picture: Kent Police

Buchanan had denied both charges after an incident near his home in St John’s Crescent, Newington in Ramsgate last June.

Today Judge Heather Norton will decide at Canterbury Crown Court how long Buchanan will serve in prison.

The row happened after mum-of-two Hannah Blake and Buchanan had been together at a neighbour's BBQ, drinking rum and coke, when her ex-boyfriend drove past the house on Father's Day after dropping off the children at her mother’s home.

The scene of the incident in Ramsgate
The scene of the incident in Ramsgate

She had earlier told the jury how her 6ft 2in 15 stone ex-partner had previously threatened to kill Buchanan during one row; adding: "And John said he would stab Archie but it wouldn’t have been a match because Archie was much bigger.

"It was a man against a boy."

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC told the jury Buchanan had stood near the kitchen window "waving a knife and goading Archie".

Archie Ward died from a knife wound
Archie Ward died from a knife wound

He added Buchanan then appeared outside and threw the knife from about 10 metres away.

“The knife went through the open from passenger’s door window. Mr Ward was seen to lift the knife and there was blood on it.

“He drove off and Mr Smith said: 'That sounds like a main artery' and Buchanan replied: 'Hopefully he's ****** dead!'

Mr Ward managed to drive to nearby Bush Avenue before collapsing in the garden where he was found by a passer-by. He died later that night from his injury.

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