A judge has thrown out 12 of the 15 sex assault and child porn charges against Kent DJ Barry Bethell.

It follows lengthy legal submissions made by defence barrister Annabelle Darlow at the end of the prosecution case.

Judge Timothy Nash ruled that four of the sex assault charges and eight of making indecent photographs of children be withdrawn.

The jury at Canterbury Crown Court will be asked later to formally return not guilty verdicts.

Bethell, of Kimberley Grove, Seasalter, near Whitstable, had denied all of the charges, which were alleged to have happened between 2004 and 2008.

His barrister is expected to begin the defence case on the remaining two sexual assault and one count of taking an indecent photograph on Wednesday morning.