Man freed after witness's silence

Allan Savage told the judge he would not answer questions

A man accused of murdering his mother's lover 27 years ago has been freed after a witness refused to give evidence.

Businessman Robert Ward, 47, from Banstead in Surrey, was cleared by a judge at the Old Bailey on Wednesday of hiring Allan Savage to murder newsagent Geoffrey Small in 1976.

Savage, 73, who was jailed for life earlier this year for the killing, refused on Tuesday to go into the witness box and answer questions.

His refusal saw him given a further 18-month sentence for contempt of court.

You have delivered a serious blow to the integrity of the criminal court Judge Martin Stephens

Savage was due to be the first witness to give evidence against Mr Ward.

Judge Martin Stephens told him: "You have steadfastly refused to give evidence for no good reason.

"Immense trouble, expense and worry has been caused to many people and you have delivered a serious blow to the integrity of the criminal court."

Feared for his safety

Savage, from Hastings in East Sussex, confessed to killing Mr Small after seeing an appeal on the BBC's Crimewatch programme in September 2002.

He was jailed for life in February this year.

The court heard on Tuesday that Mr Ward was arrested after Savage told police he had hired him to kill Mr Small because the newsagent was having an affair with his mother Jane.

Savage had written a letter, presented to the court, saying he feared for his safety in prison if he became a "grass".

Geoffrey Small was shot dead at his Surrey shop in 1976

The court heard he had told a detective he "did not see why two people should be punished for the murder" and said the Small family "would get over it in time".

Mr Small, a 46-year-old married man with two children, was shot at his shop in Sutton, Surrey, on 6 September 1976.

The judge's decision provoked anger from Mr Small's children Andrew, 44, and Cathy, 40, who broke down in tears in court.

'Sad, delusional man'

Speaking after being discharged, Mr Ward said: "I feel very sorry for the Small family.

"I never had anything to do with Geoffrey Small's murder. I liked him very much.

"I feel very sorry for the family. I am one of the victims in this case."

He described Savage as a "very sad, delusional man".

Mr Ward, a friend of Savage's at the time of the killing, had denied involvement and told police that Savage often told lies.

Mr Ward was formally cleared of murder by Judge Martin Stephens.

Police said the investigation into the shooting was now closed.

Savage's sentence for contempt of court will run concurrently with his life term, but could affect how long he serves.