A BISHOP'S Waltham man accused of touching a boy's chest and exposing himself while wearing a skirt, tights and a Christmas jumper has been acquitted.
Keith Fielder, 69, of Claylands Road, has been cleared of the offences, relating to an incident on December 9, 2022 in Winchester Road, near the pond in Bishop's Waltham.
Mr Fielder was alleged to have touched a boy's chest, who was 15 at the time, and lifting the skirt he was wearing, exposing his genitals. He was accused of sexual assault and indecent exposure.
READ MORE: Court: Jury sent out in case of man accused of sexual assault
However, the jury of seven men and five women found him not guilty of sexual assault after a four-day trial.
At the start of the trial, the judge Mr Recorder Gordon Bebb KC ruled that Fielder was unfit to plead.
Therefore, the jury was asked to decide solely on the facts of the case.
On the second charge, that of indecent exposure the judge ordered the jury to acquit on the lack of evidence.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here