7 March 2013 Last updated at 12:14 ET

Halewood's Michael Eves cleared of Wayne Basnett murder

Wayne Basnett was found dead in Hale Village, near Widnes

A man accused of murdering a man who was shot in the head in a Cheshire village has been cleared by a jury.

Michael Derek Eves, 24, from Halewood, Liverpool, was cleared following a trial at Chester Crown Court.

He was accused of killing Wayne Basnett, 30, of Hough Green, on Pepper Street, Hale, in December 2010.

Mr Eves was also cleared of attempted murder and the jury failed to reach verdicts on two other charges of wounding over separate incidents.

Mr Eves pleaded guilty to a further charge of common assault and was sentenced to six months in prison.

Case 'remains open'

He was released from prison earlier due to the length of time spent on remand in custody.

A statement from Cheshire Police said: "Just after midnight on 22 December 2010, Wayne Basnett was shot and killed in Hale Village, Cheshire.

"No individual has been convicted in respect of his murder, and the police file will therefore remain open.

"Any new lines of enquiry or information offered to police in connection with Mr Basnett′s death, will be followed up.

"Police are continuing to appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of Christie O′ Connor, with whom they wish to speak in relation to this incident."