POLICE bosses have hit back at criticism of their investigation into sexual assault charges against former undertaker Richard Chew.

The response comes after Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans demanded an inquiry into why it took police and crown prosecution officials two years to abandon the case against Mr Chew.

Mr Chew, 68, of Brownlow Street, Clitheroe, was cleared earlier this week of nine charges of sexual assault on three handicapped men.

Judge Anthony Proctor threw the case out at Preston Crown Court and criticised the investigation into the allegations saying it would never have been brought if it had been conducted properly.

But today police defended their handling of the case saying they had done everything possible to make sure it was properly conducted.

Det Insp David Armer, of Lancashire Police's major crime unit with special responsibilty for the family protection unit in Clitheroe, said: "Throughout the course of this long and difficult investigation, which focussed on a number of vulnerable male adults, the allegations were always taken seriously and investigated as such.

"Any alleged victim or witness with learning difficulties presents particular difficulties as regards giving evidence and we will be looking at the issues raised by this case in the hope that in the future more specialist support is available for any future trial or investigation of this particular nature."

Mr Chew, chauffeur for the deputy mayor of Clitheroe and boss of Clitheroe Funeral Services before he retired four years ago, said he was now considering legal action against Lancashire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

He added: "The whole thing has been very, very badly handled right from the start. There have been lots of flaws and a lot of things will come to light if any inquiry is held."