THREE men were jailed for a total of 38 years yesterday for their parts in a North-East gangland hit.

But John Sayers - the man police claimed was behind the killing - walked free after a jury acquitted him of murder.

Mr Sayers, 38, of Coquet Terrace, Heaton, Tyneside, accused Northumbria Police of setting him up.

The prosecution's star witness was 30-year-old Lee Watson, of Cedarwood Road, Gateshead, who took part in the killing.

He admitted murder and is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Dale Miller, Edward Stewart and Michael Dixon were sentenced for their roles in the death of Freddie Knights in September, 2000.

Mr Knights, 38, was shot in the head outside his mother's home in Newcastle as he called to collect birthday presents for his 11-year-old.

The three-month trial at Leeds Crown Court has involved a massive armed security operation with a helicopter-escorted convoy of prison vans and police vehicles bringing Leeds city centre to a standstill twice a day. It has also affected traffic on motorways across Yorkshire.

Inside the court building dozens of police armed with automatic weapons and carrying gas masks have watched as searches produced large queues for lawyers and other court users.

Officers even video recorded the people queuing to get into the court room every day.

Miller, 38, of Cromwell Avenue, Gateshead, was jailed for 16 years after the jury acquitted him of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter.

Stewart, 39, of Whickham, Newcastle, was also cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 13 years.

Dixon, 34, of Blackwell Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, was acquitted of murder and manslaughter but found guilty of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. He was jailed for nine years.

Mr Sayers was acquitted of murder and all other charges amid chaotic celebrations from his family in the public gallery.

The prosecution alleged Miller was paid to kill Mr Knights following gangland rivalries about drug dealing and protection rackets.

The judge, Mr Justice Brown, said: ''It's clear that this shooting was a gangland criminal activity."

The court heard Stewart was the getaway driver. Dixon provided support and back-up.

The jury rejected the prosecution's case that Mr Sayers masterminded the killing. However, Mr Sayers insisted he had an alibi and accused Northumbria Police of setting him up.

Northumbria Police said the trial had cost taxpayers "millions" but said a final figure may never be accurately calculated.

Chief Constable Crispian Strachan strongly denied the allegation by cleared defendant Mr Sayers that evidence had been manufactured, saying that the force had a very high degree of integrity.

Detective Superintendent Chris Machell said: "North-umbria Police acted with integrity throughout the inquiry and gave the defence completely open access to a massive amount of information.

"Assertions that Northumbria Police is corrupt, and that the force conspired to have the defendants convicted, are completely without foundation."