Father cleared of Wickford traveller row murder

A father-of-three has been cleared of murdering a man in a dispute between travellers.

Hugh Doherty, 45, died in hospital after being shot in Cranfield Park Avenue in Wickford, Essex, on Easter Sunday this year.

Levi Draper, 27, of Cranfield Park Avenue, was found not guilty of his murder at Chelmsford Crown Court.

He was also found not guilty of the attempted murder of the victim's sister Esther Doherty.

Co-defendant, 25-year-old Harriet Crittenden, of Cranfield Park Avenue, was also found not guilty of attempted murder.

In addition, Mr Draper was found not guilty of wounding and Judge Charles Gratwicke directed the jury on Monday to find him not guilty of possessing a firearm.

Ms Crittenden was also cleared of wounding and the judge directed the jury to record a not guilty verdict on a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

The court had heard how a dispute started following a fight between children.