A WAGON driver who was accused of sexually abusing a schoolgirl has been cleared.
Keith Hawthorn, 35, was found not guilty of seven counts of indecent assault after a week-long trial at Burnley Crown Court. He was discharged from the dock by Judge Edward Slinger. Hawthorn, of Edge End Avenue, Brierfield, had denied the charges.
The jury had been told Hawthorn allegedly touched the girl indecently and she claimed she had been too frightened of what he would do or say to tell anybody.
Hawthorn told the court he never did anything the complainant had alleged. He said people who committed sex offences against children needed "sorting out" and added he had returned from the south of England as soon as he learned of the allegations made against him.
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