After a young woman had given evidence against 59-year-old Keith Mason of Roydon Close, Launceston whom she accused of having sexually abused her, defence counsel Llewellyn Sellick successfully submitted at Truro Crown Court on Wednesday, November 5 that he had no case to answer.

Judge Philip Wassall directed the jury to return not guilty verdicts in respect of four charges of rape, one of indecent assault and one of gross indecency she alleged had been committed against her when she was aged between 13 and 15 years.

Mr Mason, who had denied ever having assaulted her, was granted a £100 defendant's costs order.