Machete-wielding teen, 19, is found guilty of killing woman who jumped to her death from third-floor balcony after being threatened with torture

Published: 13:47, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 13:57, 14 July 2026 A teenager who made a terrified woman jump to her death from a 35ft-high balcony after threatening her with two machetes has been convicted of manslaughter.  Jaiden Hassan-Agard, 19, was found guilty of intimidating Tia Langdon, 25, to such an extent that she attempted to escape and fatally fell from a third-floor balcony.  Ms Langdon suffered a broken nose after Hassan-Agard punched her in the face. He then refused to let her or her friend Shannon McNeil leave the flat in Southampton, Hampshire. Hassan-Agard, from Southampton, joined the women in the apartment on August 28, 2025, where they smoked marijuana and crack cocaine together. The violent altercation broke out after Hassan-Agard accused the pair of stealing £250 worth of drugs. Armed with two 'samurai swords', he subjected both women to a prolonged ordeal of intimidation, threats and violence.  Winchester Crown Court heard Ms Langdon was 'cowering in the corner' after being dragged back inside when she tried to flee on to the balcony.  In a 'hysterical state', Ms Langdon believed the only way to 'escape' was to leap 35ft from the balcony. She died in hospital the following day.  Tia Langdon (pictured) was punched in the face by Jaiden Hassan-Agard before she jumped from a third-floor balcony  Police outside the block flats in Southampton, Hampshire, last August after the incident  James Foster, specialist prosecutor, said Ms Langdon faced a 'situation which left her feeling as if she had no safe means of escape', forcing her on to the balcony for a second time.  The court heard Hassan-Agard was in a separate room giving Ms McNeil's dog a 'little stroke' when he heard shouting that 'she's jumped'.  He then stashed the drugs before fleeing the flat with Ms McNeil, whom he threatened and kidnapped so she would accompany him.  Hassan-Agard admitted 'he had drugs on him at the time, so he wanted to get out of there'. After leaving the building, the perpetrator told the court the pair walked past Ms Langdon and suggested calling an ambulance.  However, they stopped after a neighbour shouted down that she had already called the emergency services.  The neighbour denied them ever offering to call an ambulance. Hassan-Agard denied the women were 'terrified' of him and denied frightening Ms Langdon 'quite literally to death'.  He was found guilty of nine charges in total which also include false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, threats with a weapon in a private place, and threats to kill. In relation to Ms McNeil, he was also convicted of kidnapping, false imprisonment, threats to kill, and threats with a weapon. Mr Foster said after the verdict: 'Tia Langdon lost her life because of the fear, violence and intimidation caused by Jaiden Hassan-Agard's actions. 'He subjected Tia and another woman to threats and erratic behaviour, creating a situation which left her feeling as if she had no safe means of escape. 'While nobody witnessed the precise moment she fell, prosecutors proved that Hassan-Agard's conduct was a significant cause of the events which led to her death. 'He then compounded the suffering of those involved by refusing to seek emergency help and continuing to threaten and control the other victim in the aftermath. 'Our thoughts remain with Tia's family and loved ones, who have had to endure the devastating consequences of his actions.'