A WOMAN HAS this morning been cleared of robbing and murdering a man by Belfast Crown Court.

Coleraine pensioner Bertie Acheson (72) was murdered in April 2012 when he was involved in an altercation with an intruder at his house in Glenmore Gardens.

During the incident Acheson suffered a heart attack and by the time paramedics arrived at the scene he had passed away.

Speaking at the time, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Harrison, said:

This is a burglary which has tragically turned into a murder – don’t make things any worse for yourself than they already are. Hand yourself in.

Jennifer Toland (25) was arrested in November 2012 in connection with the incident. She later appeared before Ballymena Magistrates Court.

In October 2012, Toland’s husband, the 39-year-old Paul Toland, was remanded in custody after being charged with the killing. 

Verdict

The Trial Judge in the case against Toland ordered the jury to find her not guilty of the charges against her.

The case had been featured on BBC’s Crimewatch programme and had involved forensic prosecution including DNA evidence.

In a statement today, her solicitor, Ciaran Shiels of Madden and Finucane, said:

Jennifer thanks the Jury for their verdict today and is grateful that the ordeal of this court case has now concluded with her good character intact and the allegations against her formally dismissed.

Read: Woman due in court over Bertie Acheson death

Also: Man arrested over Bertie Acheson death