A SCENES of crime officer today spoke of his relief after being cleared of abducting an East Lancashire schoolgirl.

Peter Sharples, 55, of Sabden, was acquitted on four counts of abduction by a jury at Preston Crown Court and Judge Stuart Baker directed that not guilty verdicts be entered on a further three charges.

And the civilian worker for Lancashire Police, who is still waiting to hear if and when he can return to work, today said he was glad to be back home after being forced to live in a Preston bail hostel during the eight-month case.

Mr Sharples was employed by Lancashire Police's Pennine Division, which covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, and was arrested at his home.

The prosecution claimed he struck up an intense friendship with the 12-year-old girl and, although it had never been sexual, claimed it had been inappropriate.

The defendant told Preston Crown Court he had got to know the girl after moving to the Ribble Valley village.

He was arrested after taking her to Alton Towers, believing her mother knew of her whereabouts, and spent three days in police cells, followed by a further eight months at the bail hostel.

But today he said he was glad to put the eight-month ordeal behind him and was looking forward to returning to work.

"I'm just so glad to be home. It's been a very stressful eight months, but I'm glad it's all sorted out. It's good to be back in Sabden and I've really missed my home," he said.

"I was suspended from work at the beginning of the inquiry, but am expecting to be contacted to see when I can return to my duties. I just want to get back to normality.

"My family and close friends have been really supportive and I can't thank them enough. This has been an eight-month ordeal, but I have to look for the positives and get on with my life."

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "We are aware of the outcome of the court case where a member of support staff was acquitted on seven counts of the unlawful detention of a child under the age of 16.

"Peter Sharples is a crime scene investigator based in Pennine Division. He was suspended from duty in September. The Chief Constable will now review the issue of his suspension.

"In light of the circumstances of the allegations, a decision will now be made whether to institute internal discipline proceedings.