JUBILANT: The relieved defendents yesterday.

A GROUP of residents accused of act-ing like a violent mob near the home of one of Hampshire's worst child sex offenders walked free from court yesterday.

The trial of the eight Southampton residents was halted after a judge ruled that a prosecution blunder would not allow them a fair trial.

They had been arrested, following what was described as a "serious, unpleasant and violent incident'' near the home of paedophile Lee Courtney in Shirley Warren.

Earlier this year Courtney, 40, was jailed for 22 years after being found guilty of a catalogue of sex offences against children. But last May furious residents targeted the home of Courtney and his wife, Kelly, 21.

They were driven from their Sycamore Road house after bricks and stones were hurled at the property.

Every window was smashed and at one stage Courtney's wife was also pelted with eggs. They went into hiding leaving police to maintain a watch on the premises in case of further attacks. Courtney was later convicted of seven charges of rape and more than 20 charges of indecent assault and gross indecency with eleven boys aged between eight and 15.

His wife was acquitted of four sex allegations. Yesterday the eight people charged with violent disorder in connection with the incident at the house walked from court.

The eight acquitted were Gary Gotts, 42, of Chestnut Road; Andrew Defreitas, 36, Steven Jacobs, 27, Carla Jacobs, 27, Stephen Jack, 40, and Paul Willsher, 32, all of Sycamore Road; and Nicholas Maunders, 21, and Paul Ansell, 46, both of Warren Avenue. Mr Maunders was also acquitted of escaping from lawful custody. All the charges had been denied.

Judge Paul Darlow ruled the Crown had failed to provide all the information in the case to the defence, despite a series of orders from the court.

At the end of a near two-hour legal argument, the judge accepted defence submissions that the case should be stopped.

He said: "There is a real risk that if this case goes on, the defendants would not have a fair trial.''

After yesterday's hearing, a delighted Mr Jack said: "Justice has been done.

"Everyone can now get on with their lives. I'm just over the moon for everyone. I lost my job because of all this and the last year has been one hell of a worry.''

Mr Jacobs added: "I'm glad it's all over. It's been a real strain but now I can get on with the rest of my life.''

And Mr Defreitas said: "That's a great relief. It's cost me money and work. But now I'm going to my boss and say I can still work for him!''

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