THE Leeming family was today recovering in private from a year-long court ordeal that saw its members accused of plotting to murder Geoffrey Leeming, of Haxby, York.

After 53 weeks and tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees and expenses, the conspiracy case against Jackie, Jayne and Stephen Leeming was thrown out at York magistrates' court before it could reach a trial.

Speaking on the court steps afterwards, Geoffrey's widow, Jackie, said: "The stipendiary magistrate has said that the police came to court with nothing but a theory and that the evidence was just not there."

With her children at her side, she added: "He said he had no difficulty in rejecting the case. Myself and my family, Stephen and Jayne, and grandson Tom, have been through a living nightmare for the last 20 months.

"My husband, their father, who we dearly loved and who we miss every day, was murdered.

"In the past year we have needed all our strength to fight these unfounded allegations.

"So now we would like some privacy to come to terms with the reality of Geoff's death and grieve in our own way."

She thanked all the solicitors involved in the case, her family and close friends for support.

The family then left together without answering questions. Mother and daughter now live in Plainville Lane, Wigginton. Stephen is at a secret address.

Trevor Cox, solicitor for Malcolm Herbert, of Stray Road, Heworth, spoke of his client's delight at the rejection of the "preposterous suggestion that he conspired to kill a man for whom he had the highest regard and affection.

"It is a matter of very real regret that public funds have been squandered on this case," added Mr Cox.

A North Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said their job was to gather the evidence and the CPS independently decided whether to bring a prosecution.

The police are now continuing their inquiries into the murder of Mr Leeming.

For the Crown Prosecution Service, Richard Cragg, area press officer, said the matter was reviewed by independent leading and junior counsel and that the decision on whether to commit was entirely the court's.

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