A MAN accused of helping to hire an assassin to kill a family rival was cleared of conspiracy to murder yesterday.

Stanley Anderson was accused of being part of a plot to pay Arthur Pattinson, 42, to murder Stanley Creswell in a drive-by shooting.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the bullet passed through Mr Creswell's arm and he survived the attempt on his life.

Mr Pattinson is said to have been hired to kill Mr Creswell, 36, following a long-running feud with William "Ike" Anderson, 29, over £60,000.

During the trial, jurors have heard how "Ike" fled to the Dominican Republic a few days before the shooting, after threatening Mr Creswell with an imitation pistol.

After more than two days deliberation, jurors delivered a verdict of not guilty in the case of Stanley Anderson, of North View, Easington Lane, County Durham, on the charge of conspiracy to murder but are still considering a charge of conspiracy to harass against him.

William "Ike" Anderson, of High Street, Easington Lane, has admitted two charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, relating to threats made to Mr Creswell and his friends before the shooting. He denies conspiracy to harass and conspiracy to murder.

Thomas Anderson, of Borrowdale Street, Hetton-le- Hole, and Mr Pattinson, of Striding Edge, Washington, also deny conspiracy to harass and conspiracy to murder.

Jurors will continue their deliberations on the remaining charges today.