A boxer accused of conspiring to steal from a murder victim could walk free after one of the gang took his own life in prison.

Stephen Harrington, 47, was found seriously injured following a "brutal" assault in Woodmancote, West Sussex, last month and died two days later.

Thomas Goldring, 21, took his own life waiting for trial on remand.

He was found dead on December 29 after admitting he was the one who delivered the fatal blow.

Unbeaten lightweight boxer Joseph Butler and his co-accused Tarin Linfield were previously charged with murder, but prosecutors are no longer seeking a conviction.

Linfield, 20, admitted manslaughter at an earlier hearing.

In a hearing at Lewes Crown Court on Monday, Butler, 22, from Hambrook, admitted conspiring with Linfield to steal from Mr Harrington.

Caroline Carberry KC said the Crown was no longer seeking a conviction for murder.

“Goldring accepted he inflicted the fatal injury,” she said.

“A blow to the head causing unsurvivable brain injury.

“Linfield has accepted he was part of that joint enterprise.”

Her Honour Judge Christine Laing KC confirmed there would be no murder trial.

Police were called at about 11.10am on Saturday 23 July after the 47-year-old victim was found seriously injured in Emsworth.

He was taken to hospital, where he died on Monday, July 25.

In a tribute released through Sussex Police, Stephen's family described him as "hardworking, devoted and fiercely loyal".

"Stephen, our son, brother, husband, father, nephew, uncle, and dear friend, was taken from us in a cruel and brutal way," they said.

"His death has left us all devastated and heartbroken, with a hole in our lives that can never be filled.

"Stephen was a loving, doting father that prized every moment he spent with his daughter.

"He was hardworking and a devoted husband to his wife.

"Stephen’s love for his mother and sisters was unwavering and clear for all to see.

"He loved and is loved by all his nieces, nephews, and aunties, who will always miss Uncle Steve.

"He was a fiercely loyal and fun friend. If you ever needed him for anything, all you had to do was ask and he would be there.

"We are all going to have to learn to live with never seeing his smile, hearing his laugh, or just spending time with him again."

Linfield will be sentenced for manslaughter March 3.

Butler, who has been on remand since August 1, could walk free from court after he is sentenced for conspiring to steal.