Peanut sabotage accused cleared

A Nottingham man accused of scattering peanuts in a food factory has been cleared on a judge's orders.

Paul Bentley, 42, of Listowel Crescent, Clifton, was charged with sabotaging the Pork Farms plant after being disciplined over a "girlie" calendar.

He denied the charge and another of threatening to kill his former boss. A jury at Nottingham Crown Court failed to reach verdicts on both counts.

The prosecution has now said there is not a likelihood of a conviction.

The factory, in Nottingham, had to halt production in July 2007 and a clean-up operation cost £1.2m.

Judge Michael Stokes QC ordered not guilty verdicts and told Mr Bentley he was free to leave the court immediately.

Pork Farms provides nut-free foods to Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury's from its Riverside Bakery.

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