THE jury at the trial of a former children's home principal accused of sex crimes failed to reach verdicts yesterday after deliberating for more than four hours.
Brian Gillam, aged 62, denies four counts of rape and six of indecent assault.
Judge Michael Mott has directed the jury to acquit him of another count of rape, an indecent assault and a charge of indecency with a child.
It is alleged that Gillam, ex-boss of The Uplands at Blackwell, near Bromsgrove, abused his position of trust by attacking five girls in his care between 1974 and 1983.
Gillam was arrested last year after one former resident, now in her 30s, made a complaint to police.
It led to other women being interviewed, Worcester Crown Court heard during the 11-day trial.
Gillam denied he was ever alone with girls and insists they invented stories of abuse to win compensation or for sympathy and attention.
The jury of eight women and four men were due to resume their discussions today.
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