Pair cleared of charges in crown court blackmail trial.

(From The Northern Echo)

Byline: PAUL COOK

TWO suspected members of a blackmail gang who were arrested in front of dozens of shoppers have been cleared of the charges. Carol Ann Bainbridge and Mark Anthony Doyle both denied a charge of blackmail at Teesside Crown Court yesterday. The offence was alleged to have taken place against a 48year-old businessman from Teesside between February 20 and March 8, last year. Judge George Moorhouse cleared Ms Bainbridge, 40, of Brafferton, near Darlington, and Mr Doyle, 36, of Argyle Road, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, after no evidence was offered against them. Richard Bennett, prosecuting, told the court that solicitors had …