A TEENAGER who accused a teacher of sex abuse has gone missing after the man was cleared.

Police are no longer investigating claims made by 15-year-old Gary Hunneybell that he was sexually abused by the teacher.

Now his parents just want him to come home.

Gary, of Hyndburn Road, Church, went missing on Friday evening, just hours after a visit from social services and the police to talk about the claims.

His parents Andy and Lisa Hunneybell have spent the past week searching Manchester city centre for their son.

The last two times he left home, he slept rough in the Piccadilly area and got a job working on a market stall.

Gary is a pupil at Moorhead High School, Queen's Road West, Accrington, but the teacher at the centre of his allegations does not work there.

Mr Hunneybell said: "I think he has run away because he thought nobody believed him. He met this teacher after he went around the town asking to do odd jobs for people and it all developed from there.

"When the police came round to talk about it with social service last week, they said they had proof he had been blackmailing this teacher.

"No action has been taken against this teacher and I think Gary thinks nobody believes him.

"Like any teenager, he does sometimes tell lies. But I sat down with him, had a heart to heart and he was crying."

Gary was last seen at home by his sister Laura, 13. As he left he said he would contact his parents, who had gone out.

Mr Hunneybell, who has three children, said: "We will get to the bottom of what went on and that is what we want to tell Gary. We believe him, he has nothing to worry about. We just want him to come home."

Lancashire County Council's social services department has refused to confirm if it has been investigating the allegations.

But a spokesman did say it was liaising with the family at present.

A police spokesman said: "The only issue for the police is that Gary is still missing from home and we would appeal for his safe return."

Gary is 5ft 8ins tall and slim with a pale complexion.

At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a dark blue fleece jacket, dark blue jeans and brown boots.

He was also carrying a red Reebok rucksack.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Accrington Police on 01254 353735.