THREE brothers from Keighley have been acquitted of selling crack cocaine and heroin from a restaurant in Skipton.

The judge at Doncaster Crown Court dropped the charges against Aklu Miah, 23, Babru Miah, 22, and Fojlu Miah, 26, after the Crown Prosecution Service said a key police witness was not fit enough to give evidence.

A charge of conspiracy to supply class A drugs against Jane Thomas, 23, of Skipton, was also dismissed. She was sentenced to 12 months conditional discharge after admitting possessing heroin.

The first trial was abandoned last month after the witness became ill and a new trial was due to start on May 8. But the case was dropped last Thursday at a special hearing before the judge.

A spokesman for Doncaster Crown Court said the judge dropped the charges after the CPS revealed the witness was on long term sick. No evidence was offered and the accused were acquitted.

Solicitor Keith Blackwell, who represented Thomas and Fojlu Miah, said: "Our clients are relieved to see an end to this case. It has been a traumatic experience for them and their families."

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