A former mayor of Winchester has been cleared of attempting to murder his terminally-ill mother after his case was thrown out.

David McLean, 72, was on trial at Winchester Crown Court charged with the attempted murder of 92-year-old Margaret McLean at her home in Waltham Chase in the early hours of October 7 2022.

Mr McLean, of Morley Drive, Bishop's Waltham, was acquitted after the judge Mrs Justice McGowan told the jury there was not enough evidence to prosecute.

The judge said: “Having heard all of the evidence in the case and in particular the evidence of the psychiatrist that the confessions are not reliable, I have taken the view that there is not enough evidence for you to decide the case

“Because of the expert evidence I have to take the decision from you.”

The judge added: “I'm sorry if there is an element of frustration in this, I'm sure you would have liked to see this through to the end. This has been a sensitive and unpleasant case.”

The jury was not called yesterday (May 8) due to legal arguments between barristers Jodie Mittell, prosecuting, and Sarah Jones KC, defending. Following this, it was decided the evidence was overwhelmingly in favour of the defence. 

Mr Mclean declined to speak to the paper.

The jury was made up of eight men and four women.