A CORONER will hold fresh inquests into the deaths of all three patients a doctor was cleared of murdering.

Durham and Darlington coroner Andrew Tweddle had closed the book on the cases of Frank Moss, Harry Gittins and Stanley Weldon.

All three men had been patients of Dr Howard Martin when he was a partner at the Jubilee Medical Group, which had surgeries in Newton Aycliffe, Shildon and Eldon, all County Durham.

He was cleared of murdering them with overdoses of opiate drugs after a trial at Teesside Crown Court in December 2005.

Mr Tweddle later decided not to hold an inquiry into their deaths, saying a thorough investigation had already taken place and he could not force Dr Martin to give evidence.

But in November, a High Court judge overruled his decision and ordered an inquest into the death of 59-year-old cancer patient Mr Moss following a legal challenge by his daughter, Allison.

Mr Tweddle has now told the families of Mr Gittins and Mr Weldon he will also resume inquests into their deaths.

Mr Gittins’ son, Paul, of Newton Aycliffe, said: “It won’t be easy going over it all again but it is a good thing.

“The trial and investigation raised lots of questions and educated us so we hope an inquest will help find answers.”

The inquest will proceed on the basis that Dr Martin, who now lives in North Wales, did not murder his patients, said Mr Justice Underhill.

But he said other matters, including whether the relevant authorities took sufficient steps to investigate reports of inadequacies in Dr Martin’s practice, should be considered.

Judge Underhill said the coroner would decide the scope of any inquests, but that a verdict of manslaughter or unlawful killing would probably not be appropriate.

Mr Tweddle had indicated that, due to a heavy workload, it could be 2010 before he could schedule fresh hearings.

But The Northern Echo understands they could be held this year.

The General Medical Council has postponed a Fitness to Practise hearing, expected to start in May, until later in the year so it can assist Mr Tweddle to hold inquests first.

Dr Martin remains suspended from practising in the meantime.

Mr Tweddle said he could not discuss the case, but confirmed he hoped to progress towards resuming the hearings soon.