Family not dead, says ex-doorman

A Telford man who was cleared of blackmailing missing millionaire Chris Foster has spoken about the blaze which tore through Osbaston House.

Leo Dennis, 41, of The Rock, said he believes the family could be safe and well and may have fled the country. Mr Dennis also revealed he is embroiled in a tug of war with national newspapers fighting it out to sign him up for his story ever since the Foster family's home went up in flames.

The former doorman, along with co-defendant Tim Baker, 34, was accused in 2006 of demanding £100,000 from Mr Foster not to speak out about an alleged failed land deal in Cyprus.

Both men were cleared of blackmail at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

It was reported in one national newspaper that Mr Dennis believed the Fosters had fled abroad to a "secret" bolt-hole.

He told reporters: "I don't think he's dead. He's got places he can go to, places scattered around Europe."