A FORMER GP who was accused of killing a pensioner by prescribing him penicillin has been found not guilty.

Dr Mitra Nikkhah, 41, was charged with manslaughter through gross negligence after the death of her patient 73-year-old David Townsend.

But a jury took only two hours to clear Dr Nikkhah and she was discharged from the court.

The court heard that Mr Townsend of Pennycross, Plymouth, died in May 2006 from a heart attack.

The prosecution had alleged that Dr Nikkhah, working as a locum GP at the St Budeaux Health Centre, had prescribed penicillin despite having been told that Mr Townsend was allergic to the drug.

But the jury also heard several defence experts say that the heart attack could have happened without his having had an adverse reaction to the drug.

Dr Nikkhah had denied that she had been told about Mr Townsend's allergic reaction to the drug. She is now thought to be living in Dubai but has lost two GP jobs while the prosecution hung over her.

The Townsend family were visibly distressed and angry at the verdict in the court room and for several minutes afterwards.

In a statement, daughter Janet Soper said: "David Townsend was a much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. The whole family have been devastated by his tragic death.

"This is a difficult time for us and, needless to say, as a family we are disappointed with this result."

She said that the family's "only solace" was that the publicity around the trial would make other health professionals responsible for people's lives more vigilant in their actions. Mrs Soper said: "We have been waiting two-and-a-half years for this day and still we have no closure."

Dr Nikkhah said in a statement later: "I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mr Townsend.

"This has clearly been a tragedy for all concerned. However, I have always maintained that my actions that day were not negligent and am pleased that the jury have examined the evidence and found me not guilty of manslaughter.

"I would like to thank my family and colleagues for their unwavering support over the last two years, as well as my legal team and the Local Medical Committee and Plymouth PCT."

Investigating officer Det Sgt Mark Newnham said after the case: "We feel, irrespective of the verdict, lessons should be learned in the way that doctors deal with patients and that lessons will be learned and acted upon appropriately."