A DISTRAUGHT mum has lashed out at a judge for aborting the trial of a man accused of her son's murder.

She feels the justice system let her down because she wanted a jury to decide the case.

Eusebio Hough's mum Jo Fowler said: "I just think it's a total travesty.

"It should have gone down to the jury to make that decision, not the judge."

The judge ended the case against Adam Parkes after a defence application based on the medical evidence.

Parkes, aged 23, of Castle Rise, had been charged with murdering 28-year-old Eusebio, known as 'Zeb', outside the Red Admiral pub in Boston Avenue on November 6 last year.

Parkes was found innocent of murder and manslaughter at the judge's direction.

Jo said: "It all came down to a difference of medical opinion.

"And I feel the judge made up his mind too quickly, without actually fully understanding what they were saying medically."

The prosecution had argued Parkes stopped his car and launched an unprovoked attack on Eusebio after one of Eusebio's acquaintances stepped into the road.

Parkes told police the road was blocked and that he only fought back in self-defence after being attacked by Eusebio.

On Thursday, four days into the trial at Chester Crown Court, Parkes' defence successfully applied for the trial to be stopped.

The defence said a weak artery bursting in Zeb's head had caused his death, and that this may have been caused by high blood pressure resulting from the circumstances of the altercation, rather than any alleged attack on him by Parkes. Jo has been told it's not worth appealing against the judge's decision.

Jo, who lived in Halton Brook before moving to Leicester, said: "There's a lot of angry people on this estate. People have come up to me in the street and said how disappointed they are."

She is contacting campaign groups and medical experts - and she also plans to complain to the Crown Prosecution Service because she felt they didn't fight hard enough.

She said: "The court has made its decision but it doesn't mean I have to take it lying down."

A CPS spokesman said: "A defence application that there was no case to answer was successful.

"This was a tragic case and our most sincere condolences are offered to Ms Fowler and her family, who were kept fully informed of developments throughout this case.

"It would be inappropriate for us to respond to Ms Fowler without a thorough review of the issues she raises.

"In accordance with the CPS complaints policy as soon as we receive an official complaint from Ms Fowler we will fully investigate the issues and would be happy to meet with Ms Fowler to discuss her concerns."

Jo commended the police. "They did all they could, they put in a lot of hard work," she said.

One of the investigating officers, Det Con Jason Hill, said: "We're very disappointed that the jury did not get the chance to consider a verdict."