by Keith Hunt

A pensioner has walked free from court after a jury cleared him of sexually abusing a young girl.

Frank Macey, 79, of Northumberland Road, Shepway, denied nine charges of indecent assault.

Jonathan Higgs, prosecuting, had warned the jury to put aside any strong emotions they might have and decide the case rationally on the evidence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the allegations dated back to 1990. The girl made no complaint at the time, said Mr Higgs.

She eventually complained to her mother and the police were contacted.

Mr Macey, who is deaf and had to use special hearing equipment to follow the trial, denied all the allegations, claiming there was no inappropriate behaviour.

The jury of nine men and three women returned unanimous not guilty verdicts.

They then heard that it was a retrial, as a previous jury failed to reach verdicts.