A former Keighley businessman has been cleared of allegations that he harassed a man by repeatedly sending letters and making phone calls to him.

Peter Snowden, 54, formerly of Upper Hird Street, Keighley, is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence imposed at Newcastle Crown Court in March last year for offences including incitement to commit burglary and obtaining property by deception.

He was due to stand trial at Bradford magistrates court yesterday after pleading not guilty to harassing Brian Wheeler between March and August last year.

But before the trial got under way the Crown Prosecution Service announced that in the light of a ruling by the court and other matters, it no longer wished to offer any evidence in the case. The charge was then dismissed.

In a statement afterwards through his solicitor, Nicholas Leadbeater, Snowden said he was "naturally delighted'' with the outcome of the proceedings.

He felt that the formal not guilty verdict "totally vindicated'' his denial of the allegation made by Mr Wheeler.

"He is aware that in the past he has been the subject of sensational headlines when he has been charged with offences,'' said Mr Leadbeater.

"However, when the majority of such charges have failed to result in convictions, there has been significantly less coverage of those facts.

"He would hope that appropriate coverage will be given to today's decision at Bradford magistrates court.''

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