THE girlfriend of a violent thug who murdered an 87-year-old war veteran in his own home has been cleared of helping him to evade police after the attack.

Beverley Hardman was on trial, accused of assisting her partner Daniel Crompton, by taking him to an address in Grove Street, Halliwell on August 4 last year.

The prosecution told Manchester Crown Court that she was aware Crompton had burgled and beaten 87-year-old Frank Worsely in a terrifying attack at his home on Longfield Road in Daubhill the night before.

It was also alleged that she later denied knowing where Crompton was when quizzed by police.

But she denied this and a jury agreed, clearing her of the charges yesterday.

Mr Worsley, who served in the Royal Navy Medical Corps in the Second World War, died several weeks after the attack.

In March this year Crompton was sentenced to life in prison for his murder.

Ms Hardman, aged 25, of Calverleigh Close, Daubhill, was found not guilty of two counts of assisting an offender.

She had previously pleaded guilty to one other further count of assisting an offender.

She admitted helping Crompton with the knowledge he had burgled a different house in St Helens Road, Daubhill, and stolen electronic goods.

But she maintained she was unaware of Crompton's attack on Mr Worsley on August 3.

She will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on December 10.

  • Hardman and Crompton have split up since the murder, her family has said, speaking after the court case.