A FATHER accused of murdering a Thai chef during a brothel burglary has been cleared.

Syed Bukhari was yesterday acquitted of murdering former Huddersfield man Tinakorn Tuekpia, who had worked at Thai Sakon restaurant in St John’s Road.

Bukhari, 28, of Ringwood Road, Bradford, was cleared by a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday after several hours’ deliberation.

But father-of-two Bukhari is expected to stand trial again for conspiracy to rob the Bradford brothel after the jury failed to reach a verdict on the charge.

Mr Tuekpia, 42, formerly of Longwood, was stabbed to death in front of his pregnant partner during a raid at the brothel last August where the couple lived.

Three other men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have already been sentenced for manslaughter and conspiracy to rob.

A jury had heard the robbers believed there was about £25,000 hidden under floorboards at the brothel and had waited until it closed before making their move.

Bukhari, of Ringwood Road, Canterbury, Bradford, denies being part of the gang or being present at the scene when Mr Tuekpia was stabbed in front of his pregnant partner Nitaya Cheumeraeng.

A jury at Bradford Crown Court heard that the robbers believed there could have been about £25,000 hidden under floorboards at the brothel and they waited until it was closed before making their move.

Thai Sakon owner Mark King, said Mr Tuekpia had worked at the restaurant between 2008 and March 2009 before moving to Bradford.

Mr King said: “He was a very good chef and brought some new dishes to the menu. It was a loss when he left.

“He was a quiet man who wasn’t that outgoing.’’

Mr Tuekpia came originally to the UK from north east Thailand.

Bukhari, who denies involvement in the raid, was remanded in custody to appear at a re-trial which is expected to begin in November.

Proceeding.