Man guilty of Black murder

The jury sitting at Worcester Crown Court yesterday took just over four hours to find Robert Field of Etnam Street, Leominster, guilty of murdering Mr Black.

Mr Black was doused in petrol and kerosene before being set alight at his home at the Square in Bucknell, near Craven Arms, on December 8 last year.

He suffered 40 per cent burns and died of his injuries two days later at a Liverpool hospital.

The jury is still to return a verdict on Field's co-defendant Gareth Powell, 29, of The Grove, Shobdon, Leominster.

Both men denied murdering Mr Black.

Mr Black's long-term partner Sylvia Marie Smith, who is also known as Rudy, was found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The jury is yet to decide a verdict on a charge of conspiracy to murder. She denied both charges.

Smith, 22, who lives at Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster also suffered burns during the incident.

The court heard previously that she had been having an affair with Field and was expecting his child at the time of the attack.

Previously, in evidence Rudy Smith denied conspiring with her lover to get rid of Mr Black so they could be together.

Field, who also denied plotting to kill Mr Black, told the jury previously that he had only gone to Mr Black's home on the night of the attack so he could deny the affair.

Rudy Smith's mother, Sylvia Jane Smith, also known as Dinky, 42, and stepfather Steven Smith, 46, also of Cherrybrook Close, were found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

They also denied the charges.

Speaking on behalf of Dinky Smith, who refused to take the stand, Mr Paul Connell said earlier this week she had told lies to put police "off the track".

He added she had only lied to protect others and she did not intend to pervert the course of justice.

Members of the jury will resume their deliberations on the remaining charges on Monday.

By Sophie Bignall