A FATHER accused of murdering his son has been declared not guilty.

Robert Stacey, 52, was said to have battered 19-year-old Scott Pritchard to death in January last year.

Scott was found dead at the rear gate of his home in Lindsay Close, Hendon, Sunderland, with head injuries.

Police made repeated appeals for information about the killing and Mr Stacey was charged after he helped police as a witness earlier this year.

After he was remanded in custody by magistrates in June, Mr Stacey was bailed by a judge after he entered a not guilty plea to the charge of murder.

When his case was back before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, prosecutors offered no evidence against him and the case was dropped.

Kingsley Hyland, prosecuting, told the court: "After much deliberation and lengthy consideration with the police, the crown have concluded there is no realistic prospect of conviction in this case and, accordingly, offer no evidence."

Mr Hyland said the case had been considered by senior lawyers, and that the Department of Public Prosecutions had been consulted.

Judge David Hodson recorded a not guilty verdict and said: "I am quite confident a decision of this type would not have been taken without anxious consideration at the very highest level.

"It seems to me the Crown have acted entirely appropriately and properly. Accordingly, in the light of the decision the crown have taken, I direct a not guilty verdict."

Mr Stacey, of Dearness Road, Hendon, did not wish to comment after the five-minute hearing, but accompanied his solicitor as a statement was made on his behalf outside court.

Nigel Barnes, of Ben Hoare Bell solicitors, in Sunderland, said: "Mr Stacey was devastated by the death of his son, and throughout the police investigation, fully co-operated with their inquiries, maintaining his innocence during these distressing months.

"He is grateful to the Crown Prosecution Service and the police for the fair and considered decision they have now made, and hopes they will now re-open the case with a view to identifying the real culprit.

"Had this case proceeded to trial, he is confident the verdict would have been that he was not guilty, and this is the verdict now properly entered by the judge.

"He now wishes only to be left alone to resume his normal life as best he can in these difficult circumstances."