David Waterston found Not Guilty of the murder of Jodie Wilkinson in Gateshead

A Gateshead man has walked free from court this afternoon, after being found not guilty of murder

Well 42 year old David Waterston was acquitted of the murder of Jodie Wilkinson, which happened in Arthurs Hill last October.

The 27 year old died from internal bleeding after being allegedly stabbed in Stanhope street,

Despite the emergency services arriving within minutes of a 999 call, she was pronounced dead in hospital.

DI Andy Fairlamb said: “We abide by the decision of the court following the conclusion of today’s trial. The family of Jodie are disappointed in today’s result and our thoughts are very much with them at this difficult time.”

Jodie's family have released a statement:

‘We would like to thank the legal team who prepared our case, all the police officers involved in the case for all their long hours and whenever they could, keeping us well informed. A big thank you to DC Moore for all her support before and during the trial. Thank you to the press and media for respecting our privacy during the trial.

'We cannot bring Jodie back she was taken from us far too young with no chance to say goodbye. But she was in the wrong place at the wrong time when a total stranger decided to take her life’