THE heartbroken family of Pc Keith Blakelock said tonight they were "extremely sad and disappointed" after the man on trial for his murder was found not guilty.

The officer's widow, Elizabeth Johnson, wept after an Old Bailey jury cleared Nicky Jacobs of her husband's brutal murder.

The couple's sons, Mark, Kevin and Lee, who had supported their mother in court throughout the trial, held their heads in their hands as the verdict was delivered.

In a statement, they said: "On behalf of the family, we would like to personally thank the Metropolitan Police, Crown Prosecution Service, prosecution barristers and all those involved in ensuring the case was able to be put before a jury and the tireless work completed and the professionalism and support received over the years.

"We are obviously extremely sad and disappointed at the verdict. We viewed this trial as an opportunity to see some form of justice served for Keith.

"There were many people involved in the murder on that night of October 6, 1985 and it is regretful that no-one has yet to be found guilty despite the number of people with knowledge of the events of that night.

"We appreciate the work and effort over the years since events on Broadwater Farm that night in trying to bring people to justice.

"We hope that more people are able to come forward so that some of those guilty can be brought to justice in the future."

The family had never given up hope that they would get justice.

On the 25th anniversary of the Tottenham riots, they actively encouraged fresh witnesses to come forward in the renewed investigation.

In 2010, Mrs Johnson went on the BBC's Crimewatch programme with her sons to make a moving appeal.

She said: "I know it was the uniform that they were attacking that night, but there was a father and a husband inside that uniform and they killed him.

"He didn't stand a chance. He was armed with just a small truncheon and a shield. He was a home beat officer; he wasnt a riot officer. But he was called on to do a duty and he did it and he gave the ultimate sacrifice for doing that."

Mark, Kevin and Lee were 13, 11 and eight when their father was killed.

Mrs Johnson has spoken of her pride in her sons after the youngest followed in his father's footsteps and was hailed a hero for disarming a knifeman in the line of duty.

Lee Blakelock, who joined Durham Police in 2000, received an official commendation from his Chief Constable after he and a colleague managed to subdue the man as he held his ex-partner at knifepoint in front of their seven-year-old son.

Mrs Johnson, who remarried and has another son, Jordan, said at the time: "Even when his dad was alive he wanted to be a policeman.

"It was not because of what happened to his dad that he joined the police.

"It was following in his father's footsteps but not because of what happened. I am extremely proud of Lee, as I am of all my sons."