A charge of murder was yesterday dropped against Roger Lightbourne Sr.

Senior Crown counsel Paula Tyndale told Magistrates' Court the prosecution no longer considers it has valid evidence to support the charge that Mr. Lightbourne murdered homeless St. David's resident Maxwell Brangman.

A second man, Darronte Dill, 18, of Fenton's Drive, Pembroke, remains charged with murdering both Mr. Brangman and his friend Freddie Gilbert.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner yesterday discontinued the case against Mr. Lightbourne and released the 41-year-old, of Tommy Fox Road, St. David's.

Mr. Lightbourne's lawyer Elizabeth Christopher told the court: "There's no joy on this occasion."

Mr. Lightbourne was charged on October 1 last year and remained in custody until last Thursday, when he was released on bail by Puisne Justice Carlisle Greaves at a Supreme Court hearing.

Dressed in jeans, a jumper and sunglasses, Mr. Lightbourne remained silent throughout yesterday's hearing and showed little emotion.

Speaking briefly to The Royal Gazette after leaving the court room, he said: "I'm pleased, but I'm also disappointed it took so long."

He added that from his point of view the matter was not finished and he is now considering his options.

Approached by this newspaper for a comment, Director of Public Prosecutions Rory Field said: "There was a court hearing this morning. There was a discontinuance against Roger Lightbourne Sr.

"It was said that after a review of the evidence on which he had been charged, while at the time of the charge there was a proper evidential basis for the charge, upon review, that evidence is no longer considered a valid basis upon which to continue the prosecution against him."

Mr. Brangman's body was found near the Black Horse Tavern in St. David's on September 21 last year. Police said he died from a number of wounds to his head and body, before his body was set alight.

Mr. Gilbert's body was found the next day in the waters of Great Bay. An autopsy revealed that he died from multiple wounds before his body was immersed in water.

Dill is due before the Magistrates' Court for a preliminary inquiry into the case on March 18.