A STOURPORT mother-of-two was cleared of wounding charges after police failed to trace the alleged victim and a vital witness.
The prosecution offered no evidence at Worcester Crown Court against 27-year-old Susan Turner, of Broomy Close.
She had pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Oliver Delahay on March 26 and of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.
Miss Turner, who has a lumbar disorder and walks with a stick, wept in the dock as she was told of the prosecution decision. She was granted her costs.
Mr Tariq Shakoor, prosecuting, said Mr Delahay's whereabouts were unknown. Police had made several visits to his last known address and it now appeared unoccupied.
Another witness had moved from Handsworth in Birmingham to an address in Coventry and had not replied to a court summons.
Mr Justice Hughes said he understood the Crown Prosecution Service's decision.
The case could not be supported without the evidence of the alleged victim and the principal witness.
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