Man cleared of sex abuse after two court trials


Sixteen months after he was first charged, and following two crown court trials, John Todd was acquitted of nine charges of sexual assault against a girl under the age of 13.

The 24-year-old, of King’s Park, Leigh, was arrested in late 2017, and in September 2018 was tried for the first time at Bolton Crown Court.

After long deliberations, the jury was unable to reach even a majority verdict and the judge discharged it, ordering a re-trial.

This has now taken place at the same court, but before a new jury, which this time found the defendant not guilty on all counts.

Mr Todd was told he was a free man.

A family member told WiganToday that Mr Todd’s life had been “made hell by the false allegations.”