Ex-Dales star cleared in grope trial

Former Emmerdale actor Lewis Linford has been cleared of sexually assaulting a woman outside a nightclub.

A 20-year-old semi-professional model had claimed that Linford, 22, groped her and begged her for sex as they queued for a cash machine at Hull's Pozition venue on December 22, 2007.

After the star's trial began last week, the accuser, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury that she "hadn't provoked anything", adding that Linford made her feel "surprised" and "frightened".

However, when Linford took the stand at Hull Crown Court on Friday, he insisted that the complainant had invented the allegation after slapping him in a dispute over the cashpoint.

A jury of seven men and five women has now found Linford not guilty of the charge after just seven minutes of deliberations.

Speaking outside court today, the actor, who played Emmerdale gamekeeper Lee Naylor, explained: "It's been very testing. It's not only me but my family as well. That upsets me more.

"I'd just like to say how relieved I am to be found innocent of this allegation. The impact it's had on my family over the last 20 months is devastating."

His lawyer Nick Freeman added: "The complainant is able to luxuriate behind a veil of anonymity whereas Lewis has been exposed to the spotlight of the media glare.

"In my view the law should be changed so that people such as Lewis who are charged with these sorts of allegations should be afforded some sort of protection such as the accuser's until such a time as they are convicted."