Couple cleared over boy's salt death

LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) A British couple, jailed for using salt to poison a three-year-old boy in their care who they wanted to adopt, were cleared of causing his death.

Ian and Angela Gay were found not guilty yesterday after a six-week retrial at Nottingham Crown Court of the manslaughter of Christian Blewitt.

Blewitt died as a result of having excessive amounts of salt in his blood and suffering a head injury.

The couple were jailed for five years in January. 2005 but were released on bail last year when the Appeal Court quashed their original conviction and ordered a retrial.

New evidence had emerged that the boy was suffering from a rare medical condition that allows sodium levels to build up in the body to a point of overload.

Their lawyer said that in those circumstances it could be argued that Christian died from natural causes.

He had told Appeal Court judges that the original jury at Worcester which convicted the Gays was never given an opportunity to consider that option.

At the original trial, prosecutors argued the couple, from Halesowen, West Midlands, had poisoned the toddler with salt when he was disobedient, and that the raised sodium levels in his blood had caused his brain to swell.

Christian died just over a month into his placement with the couple.

''We have waited for years for this moment and finally justice has been done,'' Angela Gay said outside the court yesterday.

''We would like to thank our family, friends, and our legal team. They have been wonderful.

''They have all supported us so magnificently and we would now appreciate some time alone to gather our thoughts before commenting further.'' REUTERS PDM RK0910