THE heartbroken mother of a York busker who died following a vicious beating spoke from the heart today after a man was acquitted of his murder.

Ethel Dobbs said that although her son, Anthony Grayson, was an alcoholic, drug addict and thief, everyone who knew him could say he was a gentle, caring man, and she was proud to have been his mother.

Mrs Dobbs, who lives near Malton, said: "There is a mother out there who has to live with the knowledge that her son is a murderer."

Ethan Wharton, 23, of Ayton House, Cole Street, York, was unanimously acquitted of murdering Mr Grayson yesterday after an eyewitness account failed to convince jurors at Leeds Crown Court.

However, he was jailed for three years for stealing two caravans and a Ford Granada, and for aggravated vehicle taking.

Wharton, who has previous convictions for public order offences, assault and driving while disqualified, denied savagely beating Tony Grayson, 38, and breaking eight of his ribs on May 27, 2002, after Mr Grayson crashed two vehicles they had stolen from Hull.

Mr Grayson's injuries led to a fatal chest infection which caused him to stop breathing eight days later at his flat in George Street, Walmgate.

During the case, key witness Desmond Giblin, a close friend of Mr Grayson's who accompanied the pair on their stealing spree, gave evidence accusing Wharton of pushing Mr Grayson out of a white Cavalier car before beating and jumping on him.

But Wharton accused Mr Giblin of attacking Mr Grayson.

Detective Superintendent Javad Ali, who led the investigation, said police accepted the verdict of the jury, adding: "We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death of Mr Grayson."

Mrs Dobbs said the family had to accept the verdict and that the case was now closed. She said everyone was "very pleased" with the police investigation and impressed with the manner in which the case had been prosecuted.

Yesterday's verdict was greeted with screams of joy and tears by members of Wharton's family, who sat in the public gallery throughout the eight-day trial.

In sentencing Wharton, Mr Justice Grigson said: "You conceded when you gave evidence that you were stealing to order, engaging in professional crime, and you have to pay a professional price for that.

"I have taken into account that you pleaded guilty, albeit at the very last minute, and you had to plead guilty in order to submit your defence."

Updated: 10:43 Friday, October 31, 2003