No charges for Barrymore over man’s pool death

ENTERTAINER Michael Barrymore yesterday walked free from a police station, after lawyers said there was no “realistic prospect” of convicting him of sexually assaulting or murdering a man found dead at his home six years ago.

The Crown Prosecution Service said there was “insufficient evidence” to charge Barrymore with any offence in relation to the death of 31-year-old butcher Stuart Lubbock.

Barrymore was questioned in Harlow, Essex, following his arrest on suspicion of seriously sexually assaulting and murdering Mr Lubbock. But his lawyer, Henri Brandman, said the star had “always protested his innocence”.

Mr Lubbock, of Harlow, was at a party at Barrymore’s then home in Roydon, Essex, in March 2001.

His body was found in a swimming pool. Post-mortem tests showed he had suffered severe internal injuries, which suggested sexual assault.

Ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol were found in his bloodstream.

No one was charged with any offence in relation to Mr Lubbock’s death. Barrymore, aged 55, accepted a police caution for drug offences.

Essex Police reopened the investigation into Mr Lubbock’s death in 2006 after reviewing their first inquiry. Barrymore was arrested in June 2007 and released on bail without charge pending further inquiry. He reported back to police yesterday to learn that he was not being charged with any offence.

Barrymore was arrested with two other men, Justin Merritt, 32, of Harlow, Essex, and Jonathan Kenny, 37, of Blackpool, Lancashire.

Both men were also released without charge.