A senior local politician was today cleared of blackmailing a former lover by allegedly threatening to send sexually explicit photographs of them to her parents.
The ex-leader of York City Council Rod Hills, 55, was found not guilty after the prosecution at Newcastle Crown Court offered no evidence on the second day of legal argument.
Mr Hills, a university lecturer of Huntingdon Road, York, had denied demanding the return of £2,325 and a Mazda car from a woman referred to during the pre-trial hearing as Miss X. Outside court Mr Hills, a Labour councillor for the Clifton ward, said: ''I am glad it is all over and I pay great tribute to my barrister.
''Also to my friends who have given me a lot of support and kindness.''
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