The partner of a former police officer accused of having inappropriate relationships with two young girls has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Tracey Sales was charged with aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring sexual assault of a child and two offences of perverting the course of justice.

Not guilty verdicts were entered at Maidstone Crown Court by direction of Judge Philip Statman and Miss Sales, 36, of Cliffe Road, Strood, was discharged.

Ex-PC Paul Traynier was also acquitted of two charges of perverting the course of justice.

He remains on trial accused of sexual assault and two other offences of perverting the course of justice.

His parents, John, 64, and 65-year-old Sheila Traynier, also of Cliffe Road, deny two charges of perverting the course of justice.

Paul Traynier, of Cliffe Road, is alleged to have had the inappropriate relationships and then lied and deceived people into believing nothing was happening.

The jury was told he gave a 12-year-old girl a love bit during play fighting. A sexual relationship was said to have developed between him an older girl.

Traynier, 39, told police in interviews he was not in a relationship with the second girl "pre-16".

He added: "Anything that has happened is when she is 16. There was no criminal offence. There was no relationship between us. There was no intention to have a relationship with her.

"I don't know how many times I have to sit here and tell you guys that was the truth. Nothing happened and there was nothing going on.

"I made it clear to her I didn't want any physical relationship with her..." - Paul Traynier

"She started this relationship off. She persistently sent me text messages and told me how she felt about me. I was in a bad place. I had just split up from Tracey.

"I made it clear to her I didn't want any physical relationship with her. We got to know each other. There seemed to be a connection there. Nothing happened until she was 16.

"She said she was attracted to me. I was flattered by the unexpected attention. At this point she was 16 and three months. I told her I didn't think it was a good idea to have a physical or sexual relationship.

"She was young. I was an older man. I told her she should consider the situation in a more measured way."

The trial continues on Monday when Traynier is due to give evidence.