Mother cleared

Christine Rhodes, who was accused of pushing Paul Butterfield off Tadcaster river bridge, broke down in tears as the jury at Hull Crown Court delivered a unanimous not guilty verdict.

Miss Rhodes, 32, who denied manslaughter, said the events of the last year had been a tragedy for everyone.

She said: "Paul lost his life, our daughter, Jaye, lost her father, and John and Joyce Butterfield have lost a son."

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Press through her solicitor, Sandra Keen, Miss Rhodes said she would never forget all they had been through.

She added: "All I want to do is get on with mine and Jaye's lives.

"Without Sandra Keen and the support of her colleagues, I wouldn't have got through this."

Mr Butterfield's father, John - who had sat throughout the nine-day trial with his wife, Joyce - went into the dock to shake hands with Miss Rhodes.

Accountant Mr Butterfield, of Towton, declined to comment, but the Evening Press can reveal that he and his wife had made it clear to the court that even if she had been convicted, they did not want Miss Rhodes to go to prison, believing she was the best person to look after Jaye.

The prosecution alleged that Miss Rhodes pushed Mr Butterfield off Tadcaster Bridge after they fought violently over custody of Jaye after spending an afternoon drinking in the Coach and Horses pub.

The body of Mr Butterfield, 30, of Carr Lane, Acomb, was recovered from the Wharfe near Ulleskelf almost four weeks later.

Prosecutor James Spencer, QC, alleged that when Mr Butterfield climbed on to the bridge parapet and threatened to jump, Miss Rhodes said "well let me help then", and pushed him in.

Miss Rhodes, of Church Crescent, Stutton, said she did not recall Mr Butterfield climbing or sitting on the bridge, or saying he was going to jump.

She said he had threatened to jump before and was saying he had nothing to live for.

Updated: 13:10 Saturday, March 24, 2001