British businessman cleared of murdering wife during honeymoon

British businessman Shrien Dewani, 34, has been cleared of murdering his wife during their South Africa honeymoon, after the judge threw out the case.

Judge Jeanette Traverso said the evidence presented by the prosecution fell "far below the threshold" of what a reasonable court could convict on. She said the evidence of the prosecution's main witness was "riddled with contradictions".

Anni's family said they had been failed by the justice system.

Announcing her ruling, the judge said the only reason not to grant the application would be in the hope that Dewani would implicate himself if he gave evidence. But to do so would be a "manifest misdirection", she said.

Dewani, from Bristol, was extradited to South Africa this year to face trial accused of planning the murder of his wife in November 2010.

He listened intently as key evidence against him was criticised by the judge as she gave her ruling over almost three hours.

On 13 November 2010 a taxi carrying Anni , 28, and her husband of two weeks was hijacked in the Cape Town township of Gugulethu. The two hijackers robbed the couple, ejected Dewani and the driver from the vehicle and shot Anni once in the side of the neck, the court heard. She was found the following morning in the abandoned Volkswagen Sharan people carrier.

Police initially considered Dewani to be a victim but quickly changed their minds. Three suspects confessed to their involvement and claimed Dewani commissioned and paid for the murder. Each struck deals for their testimony, with one self-confessed killer gaining immunity from prosecution.

Dewani has always denied plotting with others to murder his bride.

Prosecutors said Dewani, bisexual, had long planned to get out of the relationship to Swedish-raised Anni, and arranged the attack in which he would escape unharmed and Anni would be killed.