'Misadventure' verdict for CJD victim

A verdict of misadventure was recorded on a motorcycle courier who died from the human form of mad cow disease.

Donald Spear was the 19th person in Britain to die from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, contracted through contaminated human-growth hormone. Because his treatment straddled a cut-off date of 1 July 1977 his family has received no compensation. But yesterday's verdict will help their claim for damages when it goes with 11 other cases before the Court of Appeal.