A COUPLE accused of murdering a drug dealer for his money as he made his way home from a party walked free from court yesterday.

Martin Cavanagh, 30, and Nicola Wilde, 22, were accused of shooting John Hall just yards from his home in the early hours of August 4, last year.

Mr Hall, 33, died after he was shot in the back of the head as he made his way towards Windsor Avenue, in Bensham, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Nicola Wilde and Martin Cavanagh were accused of killing Mr Hall in a premeditated execution.

But a judge at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday ordered the jury to return not guilty verdicts on all charges on the grounds of insufficient evidence, after submissions by defence barristers.

Mr Cavanagh and Ms Wilde, an inseparable couple, always denied murdering Mr Hall.

Mr Hall, who lead an aimless existence, was a small-time drug dealer, and the jury was told that Mr Cavanagh and Ms Wilde were customers.

He had lived with his mother and had feared for his own safety so much he had armed himself with a knife knuckle duster for protection.

He was found with no money, valuables or drugs on his body after his death.

Mr Cavanagh and Ms Wilde, of Hillfield Street, Bensham, Gateshead, were cleared of charges of murder and conspiracy to rob.

Mr Justice Hopper told the jury: "I have to consider various matters of law, and one of the matters which I had to consider at this stage of the trial is whether or not the jury, properly instructed, could convict the defendants.

"I have reached the conclusion, after considerable argument, that no jury could possibly convict either of these defendants on the evidence which we have heard."