POLICE are pursuing new lines of inquiry into the alleged death of a flamboyant barrister, accused of spanking junior colleagues.

Barry Stewart allegedly lost his fight against breast cancer, a rare condition in men, in August, while waiting for his case to come to court.

He was charged with four offences of common assault between October 13 and October 20, 1998, when he was said to have spanked two male trainee barristers with a 12in plastic ruler, because they had made errors in their work.

Mr Stewart, 58, formerly of Staithes, North Yorkshire, had left the country to live with his partner, Peter Barkers-Stewart, in Cyprus, in June, but the disease spread to his bones and he was said to have died.

To satisfy the Crown Prosecution Service, a death certificate was needed to show he had died, before the case could be discontinued.

This was sent to police from Cyprus earlier this month, but a Cleveland Police spokeswoman said yesterday: "Inquiries to date into the apparent death of Barry George Stewart have proved inconclusive.

"In order to satisfy the British Standard of Justice the police are actively pursuing new and additional lines of inquiry in order to provide conclusive evidence.

"Difficulties have been experienced for various reasons, but these have now been overcome. It is estimated these outstanding inquiries will be concluded within the next six weeks."

Mr Stewart, who had been head of Cleveland Chambers in Borough Road, Middlesbrough, was due to appear before Teesside Magistrates again yesterday.

District Judge James Prowse adjourned the case to December 6, so police could continue their investigation.