A Police Constable charged with the 2008 murder of a Manchester man was on Monday freed in the St Elizabeth Circuit Court.

Constable William Patterson, who is attached to the St Elizabeth Police Division, was acquitted of the murder of 30-year-old Alistair Tomlinson.

The court heard that on January 19, 2008, Tomlinson was attacked with a knife. He was also shot in the neck during the struggle.

The incident reportedly happened while the cop was off duty.

Following investigations, a file was sent to the director of public prosecutions, who ruled that the cop be charged with murder.

However, after hearing the evidence the 12-member mixed jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.