THE grief-stricken son of Beatrice Wilson has spoken of his devastation at the police's decision not to reopen the inquiry into his mother's murder.

The police announcement comes just a week after a 17-year-old Poole youth was cleared of murdering the pensioner.

Mrs Wilson was brutally stabbed more than 10 times as she lay defenceless on her bed in her flat at Millfield, Creekmoor, in July 2000.

Son Peter Wilson said he was extremely disappointed that he would probably never see his mother's killer brought to justice.

He said: "If we had got a guilty verdict, we could have started our lives again and put this behind us as best as we can but this leaves us in limbo.

"I wanted them to reopen the case because I am sure there is more evidence out there.

"I do feel the police put all their eggs in one basket," he said. "After the first week of the trial, I honestly believed the police's case was flawed."

Mrs Wilson's daughter, June Tongs, said she was satisfied with the police's two-year investigation and although she was upset at the decision, could understand it.

She said: "We thought things couldn't get any worse but when we heard the 'not guilty' verdict, they did. We have not had any form of closure and the killer is still out there and could do it again.

"If somebody has more information that has not already been said, then please come forward with it."

The police investigation into the murder ran for almost two years, making it one of the longest continuous inquiries ever to have taken place in Dorset.

Solicitor Sean Waters issued a statement on behalf of the teenage defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He said: "After nearly a year in custody, for which he will receive no compensation, the defendant is still overawed that it is finally all over for him.

"But we must not forget that a dreadful crime has been committed and that it has a devastating effect on the family and friends of the victim.

"While no one has been convicted of this murder, a measure of justice has been done. We can never fall into the trap of thinking that convicting someone is more important than convicting the right person."