A JURY was discharged yesterday after it failed to reach a verdict in the case of a security firm boss alleged to have gunned down his former business partner.

Robbie Doneathy, 35, of Appleby Close, Eaglescliffe, Teesside, was cleared of attempted murder at Teesside Crown Court last Friday over the incident in Preston Park, Eaglescliffe, when Martin Manderville was shot with a sawn-off shotgun.

Yesterday, the jury foreman said it was unlikely to reach verdicts on allegations of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a sawn-off shotgun with intent.

The men formerly provided security for clubs, stores and building sites on Teesside and in Darlington, but were running rival firms at the time of the shooting, in February last year.

Mr Manderville, 39, of Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, was in training to fight the UK champion of a new US combat sport in which everything but biting and gouging is allowed