A MAN from Chester and two others have been cleared of blackmail and false imprisonment.

Amanda Williams, 55, of Chester Road in Gresford; Martin Garnett, 37, of Beaufort, Formby, Merseyside and Jordan Mehta, 34, of Cavendish Mews, Hough Green, Chester, had denied both charges.

A trial was due in the summer but the allegation was listed for a mention hearing at Mold Crown Court.

Prosecutor Matthew Curtis said new information had come to light and following an investigation it had been decided there was no longer a realistic prospect of a conviction.

He said he would offer no further evidence against the defendants.

Judge Huw Rees formally recorded not guilty verdicts on both charges and told the defendants that was the end of the matter.