Nicola Payne: Two men cleared of 1991 murder of Coventry mother

Nicola Payne, a young mother who disappeared in 1991 (PA)

A former warehouse worker and his brother-in-law have been cleared of murdering a young mother who disappeared in 1991.

Jurors at Birmingham Crown Court deliberated for around eight hours over three days before finding Thomas O'Reilly and Nigel Barwell not guilty of killing Nicola Payne in Coventry.

Barwell, 51, punched the air and then mouthed "Thank you very much" towards the jury, while O'Reilly, also 51, stood silently in the dock after he was acquitted.

PA