A MAN cleared of deliberately leaving his wife to die appeared in court 24 hours later to face a charge of threatening to kill his mistress, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Father-of-four Michael Briers appeared before Winchester Crown Court yesterday, the day after being acquitted of the gross negligence manslaughter of Freda Briers, 67.

The 59-year-old handyman denied allegations of making threats to kill, and assaulting his lover Laura Brooks.

Not guilty verdicts were entered on both matters after Briers agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for 12 months in the sum of £100.

Prosecutors had alleged Mr Briers had grabbed girlfriend Ms Brooks around the throat on May 16 last year.

The court was told how the incident had happened only because of the "high emotions" experienced by both Mr Briers and Ms Brooks surrounding the police inquiry into Freda's death.

It had occurred just two days before Ms Brooks had been cleared by detectives of any involvement in the case.

As reported in yesterday's Daily Echo, Mr Briers walked free from court after the manslaughter charge against him was dramatically dropped at the order of Judge Michael Brodrick, who ruled there was no case to answer.

The Crown had alleged Mr Briers had deliberately not sought immediate medical help after his wife took an overdose because he stood to inherit her £96,000 Southampton bungalow if she died.

Jurors heard how Briers had married chronically ill Freda Sevier less than two months before she took a fatal overdose at her home in Oakley Road, Shirley, in January last year.

The court was told how the marriage had been an "unconventional" one, with the accused spending four nights a week with Freda and every weekend with his lover at her home in Holbury.

Mr Briers, formerly of Woodley Gardens, Romsey, was unavailable for comment following yesterday's hearing after finally being cleared of all allegations.

His family had spoken of their relief after he was acquitted of manslaughter on Thursday afternoon.

Daughter Kim Briers, 35, said: "We just can't put it into words. I do not think the case should have got as far as it did."