THE trial of a man accused of helping to dispose of the body of murdered Suffolk woman Dawn Walker took a dramatic twist yesterday when a judge threw out the case against him.

THE trial of a man accused of helping to dispose of the body of murdered Suffolk woman Dawn Walker took a dramatic twist yesterday when a judge threw out the case against him.

High Court judge Justice Laura Cox told a jury at Ipswich Crown Court that after hearing legal submissions from Nigel Hill's barrister at the end of the prosecution case, she had decided there was insufficient evidence for the case against him to continue.

Hill, 37, of Tostock Road, Beyton, had denied helping to conceal Ms Walker's body after her murder in February 2005.

The judge directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty and told Hill he was free to leave the court.

She agreed to a request from Hill's barrister, Karim Khalil QC, to make a defendant's cost order in the sum of £740 to cover his travelling and parking expenses during the trial.

The judge told the jury that her ruling on Hill had no bearing on the case of 45-year old Kevin Nunn, formerly of Wrights Way, Woolpit, who has denied murdering Ms Walker.

Nunn was due to start giving evidence yesterday but the court was unable to sit because one of the jurors was ill. The trial is expected to continue today.

During the trial, which started last month, it has been alleged that Nunn murdered 37-year old Ms Walker, of Oak Close, Fornham St Martin after she ended their two-year relationship because she had recently started seeing a former boyfriend.

After murdering Ms Walker, Nunn allegedly took her body to an isolated spot at Fornham Park, near Bury St Edmunds, and burned it.

Ms Walker's semi-naked body was found next to a footpath near the River Lark two days after she was last seen alive.

The prosecution alleged that after murdering Ms Walker, Nunn recruited Hill to help him move her body.

During the trial, prosecution witnesses described Hill, who worked with Ms Walker at Bury St Edmunds printing firm Abbeyhine, as being one of her friends.

Following yesterday's development in court, Abbeyhine managing director Peter Allum said: “Both the management and the workforce have always been 100% behind Nigel.

“We never had any doubts about his innocence and we look forward to him coming back to work and being able to put his life back on track.

“We all know how hard this has been for Nigel and we are delighted he has now been acquitted. We will continue to support him in any way we can.

“While we are happy Nigel's ordeal is now over, our thoughts and deepest sympathy remain with Dawn's family and friends.

“Dawn was also a valued member of staff and she is deeply missed. While we look forward to putting these tragic and horrible events behind us we will never forget Dawn or the suffering that has been caused by her death.”