A 20-YEAR-OLD looks set to be released from prison shortly despite admitting his part in an attack which left a man dead.

Nicholas Hague, of James Leigh House, admitted a charge of manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 months in prison after dramatically changing his plea to guilty following a day and a half of legal wrangles.

Due to the time Hague has already served in custody, it is expected he will be released within the next few weeks.

His trial at Chester Crown Court had been due to get under way on Tuesday afternoon.

Gary Kneed, 31, died last November after he was attacked by Michael O'Hara on a footpath next to the railway line, near Marshall Gardens, Bridge Foot.

O'Hara was sentenced to life in prison for the attack in April, Hague admitted aiding and abetting O'Hara to assault him.