A businessman who fell in love with a £500-a-time prostitute has been cleared of trying to have her father killed by a hitman.

Wealthy Ian Howie, 48, was alleged to have asked for Alan Thompson to be shot along with his call girl daughter Nicola Richardson.

A jury at the trial at Lewes Crown Court will continue considering its verdict today into whether Howie tried to have Miss Richardson killed.

The trial heard the property tycoon was alleged to have told an undercover policeman posing as a hitman: "I just want her off the face of the earth".

He was accused of ordering her to be shot at her parents' home and asking for Mr Richardson to be killed because "it would be cleaner."

Howie, of Davigdor Road, Hove, denies the charges against him.

The millionaire allegedly became "obsessed" with Miss Richardson after meeting her in 1997 when he paid £500 a time for sex.

The court heard he showered her with gifts during their three-year relationship, including cars, items of diamond jewellery and homes.

But the volatile fling hit problems when he attacked her after accusing her of enjoying a sex romp on a beach in Barbados with another man, the jury was told.

It was claimed his murderous scheme was revealed when an associate tipped off police and an undercover officer posed as a hitman.

He allegedly offered £5,000 to kill his ex-lover, but the jury cleared him of soliciting to murder her father by offering a further £2,500 for him to be shot.

Howie denies soliciting to murder Miss Richardson.

The trial continues.