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Posted: 2016-03-29 01:58:00

Ross Merrick arrives at court in Newcastle today. Picture: Ryan Osland

AN Iraq war veteran who killed his girlfriend with a single strike to the head has been found guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder.

Ross Merrick bowed his head in Newcastle Supreme Court this morning as the jury returned the verdict after a three-week trial.

Merrick struck his girlfriend, Marika Ninness, 35, during an altercation in a Hunter Valley shopping centre car park in December, 2013, causing her to fall and hit the pavement.

The impact fractured her skull and caused bleeding on the brain, leading to her death in hospital two weeks later.

Iraq war veteran Ross Merrick and Marika Ninness. Picture: Facebook

Iraq war veteran Ross Merrick and Marika Ninness. Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook

“It doesn’t bring her back”... Charnie Braz, sister of Marika Ninness. Picture: Ryan Osland

“It doesn’t bring her back”... Charnie Braz, sister of Marika Ninness. Picture: Ryan OslandSource:News Corp Australia

Merrick contended during the trial that he lifted his elbow instinctively after Ms Ninness “got in his face”.

Ms Ninness, who was wearing high heels, then fell to the ground and hit her head, according to the defence case.

But prosecutors argued that Merrick was a verbally and physically violent partner who with an aggressive and jealous streak, and that the head-strike was intentional.

Merrick’s eight years in the Royal Australian Navy included three tours to Iraq.

He left the Defence Force in 2008.

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Marika Ninness. Picture: Facebook

Marika Ninness. Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook

Ross Merrick today. Picture: Ryan Osland

Ross Merrick today. Picture: Ryan OslandSource:News Corp Australia

Speaking outside court, Ms Ninness’s sister, Charnie Braz, said the family was satisfied with the result.

“It doesn’t bring her back, but it does send a message to the community that domestic violence is very, very wrong and ruins lives,” she said.

Merrick, 32, did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. He is due to be sentenced on May 9.

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