A BROTHER and sister have been jailed for 'a foolish and ill-advised act' after feeding a drunk friend a kebab as he slept.

David Noble and Nicole Cavin were both jailed for more than three years after being found guilty of causing the death of David Clark, from Grange.

Noble, 34, of Main Street, Grange, was jailed for three years and three months and Cavin, 24, of Market Street, Flookburgh, was jailed for three years.

They both had denied manslaughter but were found guilty after a trial and sentenced yesterday.

They fed kebab meat to the intoxicated 56-year-old on a train to Barrow on March 2, 2019.

The court heard how the siblings, who both knew the victim but had been returning from a separate day out, ended up sitting together when the victim and his friend boarded the same train at Lancaster.

According to witnesses the victim appeared to be sleeping when the siblings began inserting the kebab meat into his mouth.

The victim eventually involuntary vomited and awoke but collapsed as he attempted to stand.

Cavin, who was employed as a carer at the time of the incident, removed some meat from the victim’s mouth.

When paramedics arrived they removed more food from the victim’s throat before he was rushed to hospital where he died the following day.

Honorary recorder Robert Altham did not accept the defence case of John Jones, who was representing Cavin.

He said the defendant was remorseful of her actions but the judge explained that a not guilty plea outweighed any remorse.

QC Richard Littler, who represented Noble, said it was 'unfortunate' the siblings took the decision to blame each other for the death of their friend, which he believed would have led to a more lenient sentence.

Agreeing, judge Robert Altham said: “Both defendants were blaming each other and the evidence they did this was overwhelming.

“I am satisfied that neither of them intended to cause him harm. They were his friend.

“What they did was foolish and an ill-advised act.”

Investigating officer DS Gemma Jones said: “This is an incredibly tragic case and we send our heartfelt sympathies to the family of the victim David Clark.

“We are pleased that the case has finally been brought to a conclusion.”

Detective chief inspector Steve May added: “This was an unusual and highly complex legal case and I commend the courage of those witnesses who came forward and provided statements and those who attended court to give evidence.

“The dignity and composure of Mr Clarks’ family has been exemplary throughout and I hope that they can take some comfort in the knowledge that justice has been done. Our investigative team deserve mention for their consistent and thorough work to see this case brought to its conclusion.”

The family of David Clark released this tribute.

“We would like to ask that our family’s privacy be respected at this time and for us to be allowed to come to terms with today’s verdict and to grieve and remember a much loved husband, father and brother in private," they said.