A MARRIED father of three has been cleared of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl, after a three-day trial.

Geoffrey Kenworthy, 47, was found not guilty of sexual activity with a child by a Burnley Crown Court jury.

The defendant, of William Street, Accrington, who denied the allegation, was discharged from the dock by Judge Barbara Watson.

He has no criminal convictions.

The alleged victim had claimed the defendant put his hands down her knickers and she had said nothing as she was too scared.

She alleged that Kenworthy also bought her a bikini to go swimming and alleged he had pressurised her all the time, saying "stuff" about friendship and trust.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, alleged the defendant kept getting hold of her in the pool and it had made her feel uncomfortable and scared.