A Waddingham resident has been acquitted of murdering his aged stepfather by a trial judge’s direction at Lincoln Crown Court. The suspect, Dr Jason Waite, aged 54, was implicated in the death of his 87-year-old stepfather, Peter Skilton. The elder man passed away subsequent to a purported confrontation at his Snitterby cottage on 17th December. The presiding judge deduced the absence of ample evidence to demonstrate that Dr Waite had intentions to commit murder or inflict severe harm. Despite the acquittal on the murder charge, a manslaughter charge against Dr Waite is still pending. The court proceedings unearthed an ongoing disagreement over Mr Skilton’s inheritance, valued in excess of £5 million, incorporating eyewitness accounts from recent tenants. It was heard in court that Dr Waite purportedly shoved Mr Skilton, leading to a severe, eventually fatal, head wound. The trial is set to continue, as Dr Waite refutes the manslaughter accusation.
This report has been adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting via www.bbc.com.
