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THE Charlene Downes murder trial was today sensationally halted after the jury failed to reach a verdict.
After 49 hours of deliberation the panel of seven men and five women were discharged by Judge Mr Justice Henriques.

There will be a retrial – probably in the new year – the judge said.
Blackpool takeaway owner Iyad Albattikhi, 30, of Dickson Road, Blackpool, is accused of murdering Charlene.

His business partner Mohammed Reveshi, 50, of Hornby Road, Blackpool, is charged with disposing of the 14-year-old's body,
Both men deny the charges.

The trial at Preston Crown Court was halted at noon today – 11 weeks after it had started, and exactly two weeks after the jury retired to consider its verdict.

Mr Justice Henriques told the jury: "I have received a note (from you) which says it is highly unlikely, given further time, that you are likely to come to a decision on both these counts.
"There will be a retrial.

"I must thank you most profusely for your hard work, dedication and professionalism in the way you have conducted yourself."

Turning to Karen and Robert Downes – Charlene's parents sat in the public gallery – the judge said: "It must be very stressful for you all to sit through the past few months."

Charlene, a former St George's High School pupil, was last seen on November 1, 2003.

Her parents were in tears as they left court.
Mr Downes, of Buchanan Street, Blackpool, said: "I'm devastated, absolutely devasted."

His wife added: "I'm very disappointed by the outcome. I'm delighted there will be a retrial."

Custody

A trial date has yet to be arranged, but is likely to be around January, Mr
Justice Henriques said.

Both defendants were remanded in custody.
Albattikhi and Reveshi were business partners in the Funny Boyz takeaway on Dickson Road.

Throughout the trial they have both denied ever meeting Charlene.
During the course of the trial, the court heard claims Charlene's body had been "chopped up" and "put in the kebabs".

This was denied by the defendants.
The prosecution case centred around conversations recorded as part of a covert police surveillance operation.

Detectives alleged these conversations showed the two defendants discussing Charlene's death and her body being disposed of.

However, Albatikkhi and Reveshi insisted the bugged conversations had been misinterpreted by detectives.

Charlene was last seen after kissing goodbye to her mother at a town centre bus stop.

Her parents have had no contact with her and no body has ever been found.