A CORONER investigating the deaths of 12 patients of a former County Durham GP cleared of murdering three seriously ill men may look into more cases.

Dr Howard Martin was acquitted of killing Frank Moss, 59, Stanley Weldon and Harry Gittins, both 74, by injecting them with large doses of painkillers at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday.

Less than 24 hours later, the senior detective on the case - the biggest homicide inquiry undertaken by Durham Constabulary - said the case was continuing.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson said that a further 12 files on patient deaths would be handed to Andrew Tweddle, the coroner for the north and south Districts of Durham and Darlington, before Christmas.

At his office in Crook yesterday, Mr Tweddle, said: "It is possible that when I have had opportunity to consider in detail these various files, that I may require further inquiries to be carried out.

"It is possible that members of the public will have been made aware of Dr Martin's trial and may report their concerns to the police also."

Mr Tweddle said the Department of Health was also making inquiries and checking patient medical records to ensure that any potentially unnatural deaths were brought to his attention.

He said: "Accordingly, at the moment, I am unable to be exact as to how many deaths may be reported to me."

Mr Tweddle said that he would also consider whether to resume the inquests of Mr Gittins, Mr Weldon and Mr Moss.

An inquest into the death of William Kerr, 84, from the Newton Aycliffe area, will be resumed.

His body was exhumed as part of the inquiry in January, but no charges were brought in relation to his death.

Mr Tweddle said: "The fact that Dr Martin has been tried and acquitted of murder does not preclude me from investigating other deaths which have raised suspicion."

He said it was too early to say how many of the additional cases would result in inquests being held.

"People may be concerned as to when any inquests may be heard. I regret that, at the moment, I cannot give any indication as to when my inquiries will be complete.

"However, I expect the process will take months rather than weeks.

"It is the statutory duty of the coroner to inquire into sudden or unnatural deaths and that inquiry has to be full and fearless."

Dr Martin, 71, who now lives in Penmaenmawr, Gwynedd, North Wales, had already issued a statement through his solicitor, Sara Mason, saying that they did not believe fresh charges would be brought against him.