A man who stabbed his girlfriend’s father to death in a horror turn to the family’s Christmas Day celebrations has been found not guilty of murder.

Garth Michael Reid had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Warren Toby, who was stabbed to death outside a home in North Ipswich in December 2020.

A Supreme Court jury deliberating in the case instead convicted Reid on a lesser charge of manslaughter on Tuesday.

They deliberated for a day before the verdict was returned on Tuesday afternoon.

Members of Mr Toby’s family could be heard gasping as the verdict was handed down and outside court expressed frustration at the outcome.

Throughout the trial, the crown contended Mr Reid intended to kill Mr Toby or cause him grievous bodily harm when he tried to leave the property in the early hours of Boxing Day 2020.

Mr Reid, who was dating Mr Toby’s daughter Kieran Toby-Currie, had been invited to Christmas Day celebrations with the family.

The court was told a joke at Ms Toby-Currie’s expense had caused the mood to sour and the pair wanted to leave.

Crown prosecutor Matt Le Grand said Mr Reid was prevented from leaving by Mr Toby and others at the party as they had been drinking all day.

An altercation then broke out, leading to Mr Reid stabbing Mr Toby.

Defence barrister Jessica Horne said her client had defended himself upon being confronted by Mr Toby and his son Ethan.

The court was told Reid was scared for his safety after Ethan said he would “have to go through me” if he wanted to leave the property.

After Reid punched Ms Toby-Currie because she was in his way, Mr Toby then started attacking him.

Ms Horne told the court Reid was under attack and unable to retreat when he delivered the fatal stab wounds.

He will be sentenced on August 18.

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