Axe murder charge dropped

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A 55-year-old man accused of the murder of a private investigator 23 years ago walked free from the Old Bailey today after the case against him was dropped.

James Cook, of Tadworth, Surrey, was formally pronounced not guilty after prosecutors offered no evidence against him.

Daniel Morgan, 37, was found dead with an axe in his head outside the Golden Lion pub in Sydenham, south east London, in March 1987.

Three other men remain accused of his murder and are to go on trial next year.

William Rees, 56, of Weybridge, Surrey, Glenn Vian, 52, of south Croydon, and Garry Vian, 50, of no fixed address, deny the charge.