Crossword Genius

Middle son keeps away from wrongdoer (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inner

'middle' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'son keeps away from wrongdoer' is the wordplay.
'son' becomes 's' (genealogical abbreviation for son).
'keeps away from' is a deletion indicator.
'wrongdoer' becomes 'sinner' (sinner is a kind of wrongdoer).
'sinner' with 's' taken out is 'INNER'.

(Other definitions for inner that I've seen before include "Annulus nearest bull" , "Hidden" , "Esoteric" , "Opposite of outer" , "Part of the bull" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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