Businessman murder charge dropped

Businessman murder charge dropped

The trial was due to be heard at the Old Bailey

A 27-year-old Latvian accused of murdering a Suffolk businessman in Soho has had the charge against him dropped.

Grigorijs Zamerzlaks, of Viscount Drive, Beckton, East London, had been due to appear at the Old Bailey on 31 March for a plea and directions hearing.

Mr Zamerzlaks had been charged with murdering Phillip Saville, a father of two, of Haverhill Road, Little Wratting, Haverhill.

The 40-year-old died 16 days after he was struck and fell to the pavement in Wardour Street, Soho, on 2 August 2001.

Insufficient evidence

He had been in a late-night fight, which was thought to have involved about six men, in a crowded street as he attended a colleague's leaving party.

On Friday the Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence against Mr Zamerzlaks and discontinued the case.

Mr Saville, a director of a soil investigation drilling company, died from head injuries in the private Wellington Hospital, St Johns Wood, London, on 18 August.

Mr Zamerzlaks was arrested in Beckton on 14 January.

A second man was released without charge.

An inquest into Mr Saville's death was heard at Westminster Coroners Court where an unlawful killing verdict was recorded.