THE mother of three of Adam Vincent's killers has been cleared of intimidating a key witness in the aftermath of their trial.
Linda McLernon, 49, of Wickenby Close, Grimsby, had been charged with threatening key prosecution witness Graham Goodwin, 52, in the street on July 9, knowing that he had given evidence in the trial.
It was claimed she had told him he was "a dead man walking" for his role in helping to secure the convictions of her former partner Lee Griffiths, 44, their sons Thomas, 23, and Luke, 20, of Southfield Road, Scartho, and her son from her first marriage, Mark Jackson, 28, of Wickenby Close, Grimsby.
In January all four men were found guilty of the murder of 33-year-old Adam following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court.
Matthew Frow, of a different address on Southfield Road, was found guilty of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent and all five men were convicted of perverting the cause of justice, in relation to the dismemberment and disposal of his body. However, it took the jury in Miss McLernon's trial just 11 minutes to return an unanimous not guilty verdict, which was greeted with tears of relief by both she and her supporters in the court.
Miss McLernon told Grimsby Crown Court she still maintains that her sons and former partner did not kill Mr Vincent and described the last 18 months as "horrendous".
She said that not a day went by without her thinking how unlikely it was she would ever see her children released from prison, adding that she visits all three of her sons and Lee Griffiths on a regular basis.
She even claimed that it was she who had been taunted about the outcome of the trial in the street by Mr Goodwin – who had previously been a friend of the family for at least 20 years – an allegation he denies.
When approached by the Grimsby Telegraph following the hearing, she said she was too distressed to speak about the case and that she now wished to be "left alone" by all connected to it.
Today, the court of appeal is due to give a verdict on an appeal lodged by Thomas, Luke and Lee Griffiths and Jackson, to have their minimum prison sentences reduced.
See www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk later today and tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for the outcome.
