PROSECUTORS have discontinued their case against a retired businessman accused of murdering his wife more than 15 years ago.

The Northern Echo has learnt that the case against Peter Heron will not go ahead after a review of the evidence by a forensic expert and advice from a leading barrister.

Mr Heron, 70, was arrested and charged last year after a cold case review and scientific tests were carried out.

He was due to appear at Teesside Crown Court later this month, when he was expected to formally enter a plea of not guilty.

Last night, it emerged the Crown Prosecution Service has decided to discontinue the case ahead of the trial.

When The Northern Echo visited Mr Heron last night he was unaware the court case had been dropped.

Mr Heron said he knew nothing of the development when he was contacted by the Echo at his daughter and son-in-law's home in a North Yorkshire village.

He said he wanted to speak to his legal advisors and his family before commenting on the move, but he did admit: "I am shocked to have heard about it from you."

His solicitor, Peter Wishlade, said earlier: "I can't say anything at all, about anything. I am not aware of it.

"But it certainly wouldn't surprise me if it was discontinued, as he has never been guilty of it, and he is completely innocent."

Ann Heron had her throat cut as she sunbathed in the garden of her home near Darlington on August 3, 1990.

Despite one of the largest and most high-profile investigations undertaken by Durham Constabulary, her killer was never found.

Mr Heron was arrested in November at the home in Scotland that he had shared with his third wife, Freda, until her death in July.

He was questioned at Spennymoor police station and charged with murder before appearing before magistrates.

The following week, Mr Heron appeared at Teessdide Crown Court, and was granted bail after representations from Mr Wishlade, who said at the time that his client "vehemently denies this".

"He is a retired director of exemplary character," the solicitor told the court.

"He has never been guilty of any offence in his life."

Last night, Mr Wishlade was reluctant to talk about the development, but did say: "There is not any evidence. There never has been in 15 years, and there is not now.

"I am not prepared to say any more at the moment. I shall make an appropriate quote if it happens."

A statement from Durham Police last night revealed that a fresh review of the case will be carried out over the next few months.

It said: "Within the last 24 hours, Mrs Heron's family has been spoken to by senior detectives from Durham.

"Discontinued cases can be started again if evidence providing a realistic prospect of conviction comes to light."

Throughout the investigation, detectives appealed for help in tracing two men they believed could hold the key to the case.

But a man seen speeding down the drive of Aeolian House in a blue car and a jogger spotted running along the A67 near the home have never been traced.

Mrs Heron was born in Scotland and married her first husband, Ralph Cockburn, when she was 18.

They had three children, Ralph, Ann Marie and Michael, but their relationship broke up after 18 years.

While she was on a trip to Darlington, she met Mr Heron, who offered her a chance for a new and exciting life of overseas holidays.

Soon after the murder, it emerged Mr Heron was having an affair with a barmaid.

Two years after his wife's death, he married Freda Buddie, and lived in Lanarkshire until his arrest last year.

Portia Ragnauth, the chief Crown prosecutor for Durham, said last night: "A further report on the scientific evidence has now been received, as well as some new evidence, which have compelled us to look again at the nature of the evidence and the case overall.

"This murder case was reopened after Durham Police conducted a review, which included commissioning new tests on some of the forensic evidence. As a result of this a decision was made to charge Peter Heron.

"Cases are kept under constant review and after receiving new information, and after consultation with police and leading counsel, it has been decided to discontinue these proceedings."

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