Accused told Halesowen murder case is dismissed
A murder charge against a Black Country man accused of stabbing his girlfriend's ex partner has been dropped after he claimed he was acting in self-defence.
Ian Swinburne, aged 49, says he used a knife to protect himself after two intruders burst into the house where he was staying in Graham Road, Halesowen.
David Carpenter, aged 47, of Yardley Close, Oldbury, died after suffering a stab wound to the chest in the incident, on February 3, at the home he used to share with Nicola Bennett in Graham Road.
Mr Swinburne, of Stourbridge Road, Brierley Hill, was charged with murder, as well as with assault causing actual bodily harm to another man, Mitchell White.
But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now informed Mr Swinburne's solicitor, Mr Michael Davies, that both the murder and the assault charges have been dropped.
Sector crown prosecutor Martin Lindop says in a letter to Mr Davies at Stourbridge solicitors Sanders & Co: "The decision to discontinue these charges has been taken because there is not enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction."
Mr Swinburne is still currently in custody but Mr Davies is making an urgent application for him to be released immediately.
Girlfriend speaks of 'nightmare' tragedy - See today's Express & Star
