Two cleared of attack on QPR director

Two men were cleared today of taking part in a gunpoint attack on a director at Queens Park Rangers.

Gianni Paladini, 60, claimed he was punched and threatened with a pistol after being ambushed by fellow director David Morris and six thugs in a takeover bid at the Coca-Cola Championship club’s west London ground.

The Italian-born tycoon and QPR shareholder said he was forced to sign a resignation letter handing over his club shares during the match against Sheffield United on August 13 last year.

But a jury at London’s Blackfriars Crown Court today cleared Morris, 50, of Chalfont St Giles, Bucks, and John McFarlane, 39, of Hayes in Middlesex, of taking part in the attack.

They were acquitted of conspiracy to blackmail, false imprisonment and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, charges which they had denied.