A WINCHAM man accused of murdering Jock Straiton has been found not guilty.

After almost two days of deliberation, jurors found Paul Blower, 20, of Chapel Street, not guilty of murder and not guilty of manslaughter.

A sharp intake of breath was emitted from the public gallery as the chairman of the jury announced a verdict had been reached on just one of the defendants.

Paul Blower, Joshua Spruce and Nigel Goolding stared straight ahead as each waited to learn if it was their fate that had been decided.

Wearing a brown suit, Blower’s expression remained fixed as the verdict was read out, while members of his family collapsed into each other’s arms and broke down in tears of relief.

Judge Roderick Evans ordered he be released from the dock while his school-friends Spruce and Goolding were taken back down to the cells.

Blower will today be enjoying his first full day of freedom after spending 247 days on remand.

Meanwhile jurors have entered their third day of deliberations on co-defendants Joshua Spruce, 20, and Nigel Goolding, 20, both of Winnington.

Murder, manslaughter and acquittal are the options.

We will bring news of the verdict live from Chester Crown Court as it happens.