A MAN charged with murder following the death of Accrington woman Christine Moore has had the case against him dropped.

David Osbaldeston, 29, of Prospect Street, Great Harwood, had spent a month in custody after being charged with the murder of the 51-year-old mother of two before being bailed by a court.

Miss Moore's body was found at her home in Emma Street, Accrington, by a neighbour at the beginning of June. She died from a head injury.

The night before, police had been called to an altercation in the street involving her and a man, which they believed may have led to her death.

But today Detective Inspector Pete Broome said that new evidence had revealed that Miss Moore had been seen alive by a witness after the time they had initially thought she had died. He added that a second post mortem examination had been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the head injury which killed her.

Christine, who has relatives in Blackburn, had a long-standing drink problem.

DI Broome said: "Following the discovery of Christine Moore's body a murder-style investigation was launched on the basis of evidence to hand at the time and, on the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service, David Osbaldeston was charged.

"Subsequent inquiries have revealed evidence which casts doubt on the basis of the prosecution.

"As a result of negotiations with the CPS the charge against Mr Osbaldeston has been withdrawn.

"Mr Osbaldeston has already spent a month in custody. Consideration has been given to preferring other charges against him by the CPS but at this stage it has been decided not to adopt that course of action."

Christine's step-brother Michael Daly said he was disgusted that no-one would be brought to book for his sister's death.

He said: "The police should have found out who was responsible.

"I'm absolutely disgusted with the police. Somebody should be made to account for Christine's death. "

Mr Osbaldeston was thought to be in Cumbria today.

A spokesman for Accrington-based Barlow Rowland, Mr Osbaldeston's solicitors, said nobody was available to comment on the case.