A re-trial will not be held into the murder of a man shot in a Bristol nightclub.

Bristol Crown Court heard today that no further evidence could be offered by the Crown Prosecution Service for the retrial of three suspects in the fatal shooting.

Dean Myles was shot and killed in Club UK in Stokes Croft in 2006.

Following an eight-week trial at Bristol Crown Court in December 2007, a jury failed to agree a verdict on three men accused of murdering Mr Myles.

The jury returned a not-guilty verdict on a fourth man charged with his murder.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was expected to opt for a re-trial, but following a recent Court of Appeal ruling on the issue of hearsay evidence from anonymous witnesses, the CPS had to look at this case again to see what impact the ruling would have.

Head of CPS complex casework Unit Ann Reddrop said today: "We considered the judgement very carefully but have reluctantly come to the conclusion that in the light of the Court of Appeal's ruling, this case can no longer go ahead.

"As a result of last week's ruling in the Court of Appeal we are no longer able to use vital evidence which was successfully presented at the first trial.

"We considered whether there was any way of continuing with the case but decided that without this evidence the case was no longer strong enough to go to court.

"This morning at Bristol Crown Court we told the judge that we were not able to continue the prosecution and would formally offer no evidence against the defendants."

"We have informed the victim's family of our position and that the prosecution team has done everything that can be done. "

"Our thoughts are with Dean Myles' family and we appreciate how disappointed they must be."

Justice Royce today returned no-guilty verdicts in relation to all three defendants.

Jamie Viera, 22, of Bellevue Road, Easton, Ashley Pritchard, 20, of no fixed address and Matthew Radnedge, 22, of Britannia Road, Easton, all maintained their innocence throughout.

Today their defence lawyers said their clients were relieved.

Justice Royce said: "These decisions are never easy, I understand the reason behind the decision that the Crown has reached in not pursuing this any further.

“I say no more about the situation other than it is a matter of sadness when someone is killed in full view of a large number of people and those people for one reason or another are too frightened to come to court. “

Detective Superintendent Arthur Lewis of Avon and Somerset police said: "The police investigation into this case remains open and we continue to appeal to any witnesses to come forward.

"The police remain absolutely committed to robustly doing everything possible to disrupt, dismantle and destroy serious and organised crime in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary area and beyond, keeping our communities safe."