A MAN accused of bludgeoning a follower of witchcraft to death has been acquitted of his murder.

Nicholas Grundy, 22, of Ernest Street, Cornholme, Todmorden, denied killing James Bowman, 44, on September 15 last year -- two days after his mother, Melanie Payne, ended her relationship with the Wiccan enthusiast.

Mr Grundy was acquitted by the jury at Leeds Crown Court on the direction of Mr Justice Gage who said that the evidence against him was insufficient.

The trial of his brother, Daniel Delker, 24, of Shackleton Road, Kirkham, and his friend David Sandham, 24, of The Croft, Cleveleys, is continuing. Both men deny murder.

The jury heard that Mr Grundy was concerned about his mother's relationship with Mr Bowman and his involvement in witchcraft.

In a police interview he said that after Mr Bowman and his mother began a sexual relationship, his mother, who suffers from a neurological disorder, had a breakdown and was hospitalised for a month.

After she left hospital, Mrs Payne became depressed and Mr Grundy said Mr Bowman resented having to look after her.

He said: "It was as if he was showing his true colours to my mum. I had seen that he was not a nice person."

His brother and Mr Sandham visited Mrs Payne the weekend that Mr Bowman was murdered because she was worried that her former lover, might return.

Mr Grundy denied any involvement in the murder and claimed he could not remember if he had walked on the hillside that weekend where Mr Bowman's body was found.

(Proceeding)