A Windermere man accused of manslaughter has been acquitted.
27 year old Mark Anthony Russell was found not guilty at Carlisle Crown Court today.
He'd denied the allegation of manslaughter following the death of 44-year-old Gordon Smith in Windermere.
Mr Smith - a hotel worker, was pronounced dead at the scene of an incident which took place during the early hours of 1st July last year.
The case had been opened to a jury of seven men and five women who also heard evidence from a prosecution witness.
But after cross-examination of that witness earlier today, prosecutor Francis McEntee said a view had been taken that the prosecution could not proceed, and that no further evidence was being offered against Mr Russell.
As a result, Judge Peter Davies directed the jury to acquit him of the manslaughter charge, and Mr Russell was allowed to leave the dock.