Two Found Not Guilty Of Nicola Payne Murder

Two men have been found not guilty of the 1991 murder of Coventry teenager Nicola Payne.

Nigel Barwell and Thomas O'Reilly were cleared after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court, nearly 24 years after the 18-year-old disappeared.

She had been walking from her boyfriend's house to her parents' home in Coventry on 14 December 1991.

Despite extensive searches over the years, her body has never been found but police claimed to have had a "breakthrough" last year.

Brothers-in-law Mr Barwell and Mr O'Reilly, both in their 50s and from Coventry, were originally arrested last December.

At the time of her disappearance, Ms Payne had a seven-month-old son.

Nicola Payne's parents, Marilyn and John, helped raise her son, Owen, who is now in his 20s.

Marilyn Payne took part in a new appeal for information after police issued an apology for past mistakes.

Sky's Adele Robinson said that Mr Barwell shouted "Yes" as the verdict was read out, but there was dismay from her family.

Speaking outside court, Miss Payne's brother Nigel said: "Our family are devastated and heavy-hearted with today's verdict.

"For nearly 24 years we have lived daily with the anguish of not knowing what's happened to our beloved Nicola, and worse than that - to this day not knowing where she is.

"We'd like to say thank you to our family, friends and members of the general public, which has showed us fantastic support over these years.

"We also pay tribute to the police for their help in trying to bring justice for Nicola. We never thought we'd ever get this far.

"We will never give up on Nicola and therefore we would ask anyone with any information to come forward and contact the police or Crimestoppers."

Reading a separate message from Nicola's parents, who are both aged 70, Nigel Payne added: "Nicola was not only our daughter, she was a loving mother to her son Owen and sister to her four older brothers.

"She deserves to be laid to rest. We cannot contemplate not knowing where Nicola is for another 24 years."

West Midlands Police said the investigation into Ms Payne's disappearance will remain "live" despite the not guilty verdicts.