JAMES BOND - JAMES BOND VILLAIN CLEARED OF MURDER

Former JAMES BOND villain IRVIN ALLEN was cleared of the murder of his estranged wife in a London court yesterday (14FEB06).

The 71-year-old actor, who played bad guys in ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, was found not guilty of the murder of CHAMLONG ALLEN in the British capital's Old Bailey, due to lack of evidence.

Thai-born Chamlong, 49, was found brutally murdered in a garage in west London in April 2005 - only days before she was set to battle the actor in a court hearing for custody of their three children.

Irvin's lawyer SUCHETA SARKAS read a statement from the retired boxer and actor, saying, "I am thankful that this terrible ordeal has come to an end and I am found not guilty of the sad death of my wife.

"My thoughts at this moment are with my children that have stood with me throughout the long months that have taken to reach this moment.

"I now hope the police will reopen their inquiries and redouble their efforts to find my wife's killers."