Fire chief harassment case thrown out

The body of Wayne Brown was discovered at his home in January last year

A judge has formally dismissed a case against a man accused of harassing the former West Midlands Fire Service chief.

Ex fire service training instructor Benjamin Walker had always denied harassing Wayne Brown.

Mr Brown was found dead a day after the fire service announced that he was under investigation over claims made on social media about his qualifications for the role.

Judge Shamin Qureshi dismissed the case at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after the prosecution offered no evidence against Mr Walker.

Charges were dropped in February, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Walker thanked family, friends and colleagues who had supported him during the past two years of proceedings, which he described as a "witch hunt".

Ben Walker said he wanted to look to the future and rebuild his life

"Two years of my life has been taken by these proceedings. The destruction of my business, my reputation. My family have received death threats and to be quite frank, the public deserve more," he said.

Mr Walker added that he wanted to rebuild his life and career.

Mr Brown was found dead at his home in January last year.

The BBC understands the claims relate to a business administration qualification which is a requirement of the role he was in.