Diplomat cleared of murdering mugger

A Colombian diplomat wept today as he was cleared of the murder of a mugger who robbed his son.

Jairo Soto-Mendoza, 44, had been accused of hunting down and stabbing Damian Broom, 23.

But Soto-Mendoza told the Old Bailey he did not realise Mr Broom had been fatally wounded after their confrontation.

As the jury returned not guilty verdicts to murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter, Mr Broom's family started screaming in the public gallery.

Angry scenes followed as Soto-Mendoza was led outside the courtroom.

He stood weeping as he was comforted by his solicitor and legal team.

He had told the court Mr Broom had been hiding behind bushes with a knife and he was forced to overpower him with commando tactics from his elite special forces training.

But Soto-Mendoza, of Greenford, west London, said he did not notice Mr Broom had been injured.

A jury cleared him of murder following a three-week trial.