A KIDDERMINSTER father-of-four has been cleared of carrying out sex attacks on two children nearly 17 years ago.
A jury of eight women and four men was out for less than two hours at Worcester Crown Court before recording not guilty verdicts against 35-year-old Nigel Hawkins.
Hawkins, of Whittal Road West, had denied indecently assaulting a girl, aged eight, and a boy aged between nine and 11, between December, 1989 and December, 1991.
Asked by Miss Blondelle Thompson, defending, why the alleged victims - who were not related to him - had complained 15 years later, he said it might have been jealousy because he was happily married with a wife, children and job.
Miss Thompson read character references from two officials who testified that Hawkins had helped out with children's quad bike racing and kick-boxing and there had been no complaints. One described him as "decent, honest and genuine".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article