A 49-year-old man has been cleared of a sex attack on a young girl in Worcester.

A jury failed to reach a verdict after a trial of Richard Fern - who had denied inciting sexual activity with a child.

Now the Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to pursue a second trial and a not guilty verdict has been entered on Mr Fern's behalf following a mention hearing at Worcester Crown Court last month.

A prosecutor said the decision has been made after the Crown had consulted the complainant in the case.

Mr Fern, who gave evidence in his own defence at the trial, had maintained his innocence throughout.

The allegation was that Mr Fern incited the child, now an adult, to perform a sexual act upon him in Worcester between June 14, 2007 and June 13, 2009 when the complainant was eight or nine years old.

He denied that any such act ever took place. The allegation came to light when the complainant spoke to a social worker.

We reported that the jury could not reach either a unanimous or majority verdict last month after deliberating for six hours and 52 minutes.

Mr Fern, now of Bromsgrove, was not available for comment at the time the Worcester News went to press.