A MAN has been cleared of a carrying out a gunpoint robbery at a country pub.

Stephen Anthony Brown, 39, was accused of robbing the licensee of £2,586 in a raid at the Old Mill, at Knitsley, near Consett, County Durham, on a summer morning last year.

The 48-year-old publican was counting weekend takings when a man wearing a crash helmet and brandishing a handgun, entered and robbed him of the money, at 8.45am on June 30.

Mr Brown, of Lambton Avenue, Delves Lane, Consett, was later arrested and charged with robbery and possession of a prohibited weapon – a .357 Smith and Wesson revolver.

He denied both charges at a plea hearing in June and the case was adjourned for a trial scheduled to start at Durham Crown Court yesterday.

Following lengthy deliberation, the case was finally called into court, shortly after 3.30pm.

Ros Scott Bell, prosecuting, told the court the Crown had intended to seek to vacate the trial, due to, “issues regarding disclosure of evidence”.

But, she said: “I have spoken at length to the reviewing lawyer and that review has gone on for several hours today.

“Notwithstanding those disclosure issues and for other reasons, reasons of an evidential basis, we have reviewed the situation.”

Mrs Scott Bell said in the light of this and other “recently served evidence”, the prosecution had decided to offer no evidence in the case.

Judge Christopher Prince said: “The prosecution are under a strict duty to keep cases under review at all stages.

“Sometimes the prosecution is criticised for failing to review cases.

“I’m pleased the review has been continuous and continuing in the light of evidence.

“I’m sure the defence would expect it and it’s not a matter of criticism.”

The judge added: “If the Crown feel they can fulfil justice by taking a decision to offer no evidence, not guilty verdicts will be recorded.”

He ordered that the revolver, recovered by police during the course of the investigation, should be destroyed.