Kirsti Windsor cleared of ex-boyfriend bonfire murder

Ms Windsor was cleared of all charges

A woman from Herefordshire has been cleared of murdering her ex-boyfriend and trying to dispose of his body on a garden bonfire.

Kirsti Windsor, 38, from Saddleton Springs, pleaded not guilty to murder and perverting the course of justice at Worcester Crown Court.

The remains of 40-year-old David Langdon, from Wormelow, were found in August 2008 at their home.

Ms Windsor was also cleared of an alternative charge of manslaughter.

The prosecution said Ms Windsor had drunk wine with a friend, Katie Brown, as the body of Mr Langdon lay smouldering on the fire.

Ms Brown, 31, of Wilkes Road, Alcop, Herefordshire, was charged with perverting the course of justice by attempting to dispose of the body.

But the jury also accepted her not guilty plea at the end of the six-week trial.

David Langdon was found dead in August 2008

Ms Windsor told the jury she and Mr Langdon had split up and she had assumed the fire was garden rubbish he had promised to sort out before he left.

The defence argued that Mr Langdon had either fallen on the fire accidentally or taken his own life.

A post-mortem examination proved inconclusive on the cause of his death.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: "We note the decision of the court. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death of Mr Langdon.

"Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Mr Langdon's family and friends."