A man accused of the South Ockendon pub killing has been cleared on the murder charge.

Craig Wicks, 19, was freed by Chelmsford Crown Court after the prosecution offered no further evidence against him.

The move followed legal submissions in his joint trial with Jason Bolger on a charge of murdering a man at the Village Inn last March.

Trial judge Mr Justice Blofeld directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict against Mr Wicks after the legal moves.

Following the verdict, Mr Wicks, from Broxburn Drive, South Ockendon, was formally discharged by the court.

The trial of Jason Bolger, from Celandine Close, South Ockendon, on the murder charge continues.

His brother Brian, 27, from the same address, has admitted a charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and will be sentenced later.

The brothers are accused of murdering 40-year-old Gary Edwards at the pub and Jason Bolger has also denied a charge of attempting to murder James Buckingham, 51, at the pub.

The prosecution has alleged the Bolger brothers took part in a sustained attack on Mr Edwards which left him dead on March 4 last year.

Patricia Lynch QC, prosecuting, said James Bolger was arrested soon after the incident and he told police he could remember little as he had passed out

The jury has heard how Mr Edwards was felled by a single punch from Brian Bolger after trouble flared in the pub.

Two passers-by went to the aid of Mr Edwards but they were attacked by the Bolgers. One, a motorist, was threatened and had his car kicked.

The trial continues.

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