Walpole is alleged to have committed the offence next to the Liquid & Envy club

A soldier cleared of raping a teenage girl near a Maidstone nightclub is to face a retrial on a sexual assault charge.

A jury of six men and six women was discharged at Maidstone Crown Court today after failing to reach a verdict.

James Walpole, who is based at the town’s Invicta Park Barracks, will stand trial again on the assault by penetration charge on September 17.

The 21-year-old married father is alleged to have committed the offence in a car park next to the former Liquid & Envy nightclub at Lockmeadow in January.

The jury had acquitted him of the rape charge.

Walpole had been in custody, but Judge Andrew Goymer granted bail. Conditions included residence at an address in Manor Road, Southborough.