Bryan Griffiths has today been found not guilty of the manslaughter of hunt supporter Trevor Morse at an airfield near Stratford upon Avon in March 2009.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court returned its verdict at the end of a trial which lasted more than two weeks.

Griffiths, 55, and from Bedworth, denied killing 48 year old Mr Morse as he attempted to take off after a refuelling stop for his gyrocopter at the privately owned airfield.

After the verdict was announced Detective Chief Inspector Peter Hill said:

"This case had to be heard. The jury has listened to all the evidence and I respect the verdict they have returned.

"My thoughts are with Trevor's partner, Caroline, and the rest of his family at this time. I hope that now that the trial is over they will be able to come to terms with their loss and start rebuilding their lives without him."

Caroline Morse, Trevor Morse's partner of 23 years, said:

"I am absolutely devastated by this result. I am neither pro nor anti hunt. It has been a long 12 months since Trevor's tragic death and we are still coming to terms with our loss. The family is very grateful for the support we have received from Warwickshire Police throughout this investigation and trial."


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