The killer aged ten: Weeping boy guilty of stoning father to death

The child, now 12, was part of a gang who stoned a father-of-two to death as he played cricket with his son.

He becomes Britain's youngest killer since Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who were ten years and six months when they murdered James Bulger in 1993.

The 4ft-tall youngster was three months short of his 11th birthday when he and his friends launched a barrage of sticks and stones at retired draughtsman Ernest Norton, 67, in February last year.

A half-brick hit Mr Norton on the side of the head, fracturing his cheekbone, and he collapsed with a fatal heart attack. Five of his attackers - none of them more than 13 at the time - were found guilty at the Old Bailey of manslaughter and violent disorder.

The verdicts shattered the show of bravado they had put on through the month-long trial.

Minutes earlier, they and their families had looked relaxed in the corridors of the criminal court, with the boys playing card games and swopping sweets.

But as the jury foremen read out the verdicts, the youngsters burst into tears and clung to the parents sitting with them in the dock.

Women members of the jury also wept.

Alongside the 12-year-old were his brother, now 13, and three 14-year-olds.

Judge Warwick McKinnon indicated that they faced an "inevitable" custodial sentence but allowed them to go home on bail until sentencing on October 19.

The boys, from Erith, Kent, were in a gang called TNE (The New Estate), who had planned a fight with rival gangs on the day of Mr Norton's death.

As they wandered around the town they saw Mr Norton and his son James, then 17, playing a makeshift game of cricket in the tennis court of Erith Leisure Centre.

The gang began shouting insults, calling the teenager a "rubbish bowler" and telling Mr Norton, "Go back to your old people's home".

But they turned to violence when Mr Norton told them to go away.

James and his mother Linda, 56, who had been at a gym inside the leisure centre, watched in horror as attempts to save him failed.

David Fisher QC, prosecuting, told the court: "This was a completely unnecessary, pointless and random attack."

Only one of the accused, now 14, gave evidence at the trial. He admitted spitting at Mr Norton and that it was "stupid", "revolting" and "appalling".

But he said he was throwing stones only to try to knock over stumps and wreck the cricket game, for a "bit of fun".

Mr Norton had had a triple heart bypass 30 years earlier but was said to have been fit and well.

His widow, a hospital administration worker, said yesterday: "I called his name and held his hand but there was no response. I'm shocked to think he died under such circumstances and not peacefully at home.

She somehow found the strength to sit through the trial, vowing not to get "stressed or angry" even though the boys often smirked and pulled faces just yards away from her.

Even after the verdicts, she refused to condemn the youngsters, saying: "I think these kids are bored and don't know what to do with themselves. I just hope the children are taking things in and might learn a lesson by it."

Mrs Norton said she has been comforted by the arrival of her granddaughter Ceinwen, born to the couple's daughter Gemma, 26, last month.

"Ernie would have been thrilled," she said. "It is a kind of happy, sad time. Our son also celebrated his 18th birthday - there was one person missing.

"But Ernie wouldn't have wanted us to carry on grieving."

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Adams said: "This is a tragic case whichever way you look at it.

"A much-loved father and husband lost his life and five children have stood trial. They must live with the consequences of their actions, just as Mrs Norton and her family have to.

"I can only hope that the youths involved, and others who might engage in anti-social behaviour, realise the potential serious consequences of their actions and make life-changing decisions for the better."

Venables and Thompson, who abducted and killed James Bulger in February 1993, have now been released.

In 2001 they were granted lifelong anonymity after it was argued their lives would be in danger if they were identified.