A SECOND doctor accused of causing the death of a 12-year-old Gwent boy been found not guilty of manslaughter.

Dr Joanne Rudling had been accused along with colleague Dr Lindsey Thomas of killing Ryan Morse, of Brynithel, through gross negligence, in December 2012.

But the judge Mrs Justice Nicola Davies has today directed the trial jury at Cardiff Crown Court to find Dr Rudling not guilty of manslaughter.

She still however, faces a charge of carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice, also arising out of Ryan's death.

She remains on unconditional bail and the case will resume next month.

Dr Thomas was similarly acquitted of manslaughter last week, after the judge upheld a defence counsel submission made following the conclusion of the prosecution case, that she should be found not guilty.

John Price QC, counsel for the prosecution, accepted that decision but had sought and was granted leave to appeal against the judge's ruling that Dr Rudling should also be found not guilty.

That appeal was heard earlier this week in the Court of Appeal in London, but was dismissed, leading to Mrs Justice Davies' direction to the jury today.