THE family of murdered High Wycombe woman Natasha Derby say they are devastated after the man accused of the killing was cleared.

Jamaican Dwayne Haughton, 29, from Reading, was found not guilty on Tuesday of shooting Natasha on a packed dance floor in the town centre last September.

Natasha's mother Margaret Derby said her family and Natasha will not be able to rest until the man who shot the 23-year-old is brought to justice.

Police said they would review the investigation after jurors at Reading Crown Court returned not guilty verdicts to charges of murder and manslaughter faced by Haughton.

Mrs Derby, from Grimsby, said she was distraught after the decision, which came late on Tuesday afternoon.

She said: "I feel sick about what has happened. How can Natasha rest until the person that did this to her is brought to justice.

"Natasha just wanted to go to the party and enjoy herself. It is such a waste."

Natasha's grandmother Elizabeth England, of Kingsmead Road, High Wycombe, appealed for people to help the police find the gunman.

Mrs England said: "I am sure somebody somewhere can come up with information to find him. If he cannot be found then I am worried that it could allow him to do it again.

"There is no way someone should be allowed to get away with this."

Haughton was charged after his fingerprint was found on the casing of the bullet.

However there was no evidence to suggest he had fired the gun which was never found. Haughton also told the court his friend was responsible for the killing.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Beirne said he respected the decision of the jury and would seek new evidence to find the gunman.

There was more than 100 people at the High Wycombe Multi-Racial Centre, in St Mary Street, when Natasha was shot and DCI Beirne is sure someone must have seen the gunman.

DCI Beirne did not want to comment further on Haughton's claim but said: "We will react to any new fresh evidence that we get."

The reward of £10,000 was also still available to anyone who could provide the key to finding the killer, added DCI Beirne. He said: "We still have a gunman that is still at large."

The detective would not say if mistakes had been made in the investigation. He said: "You go on the evidence there is and that the fingerprint was on the cartridge."

Haughton, an illegal immigrant, was convicted of a charge of possession of ammunition without a certificate and sentenced to eight months, which he has already served on remand.

Call police on 08458 505505 with any information