Bellfield abduction charge: Jury discharged

The jury considering a charge of attempted abduction against Milly Dowler's killer Levi Bellfield, has been discharged.

Defence lawyers cited an "avalanche of adverse publicity" following his conviction for murdering the 13-year-old in Surrey in 2002.

Bellfield faced a charge of attempting to abduct Rachel Cowles, who is now 21, but there will be no retrial.

Speaking at the end of the Dowler murder trial outside the Old Bailey, Nigel Pilkington of the CPS paid tribute to Ms Cowles, who he said showed 'tremendous courage' in giving evidence.