[A] MAN has thanked jurors after they acquitted him of a host of child sex allegations which he had strenuously denied.
Liviu-flavius Maduta, 31, went on trial at Carlisle Crown Court earlier this week having pleaded not guilty to six charges.
Three of these alleged that he caused or incited a child to engage in sexual activity; a further three charges alleged sexual activity with a child aged under 16.
The court heard Mr Maduta had never previously been in trouble with the police. And, giving evidence, he vehemently denied the string of allegations made by a girl aged in her early teens.
He described them as “not true”, and added: “I feel like I am the victim here.
“I am saying that nothing happened.”
After hearing evidence in the case, a jury of seven men and five women retired to consider their verdicts today (THURS). After just 47 minutes they returned to court and six unanimous not guilty verdicts were returned.
Mr Maduta, of Rosthwaite, near Keswick, was immediately discharged from the dock by Recorder Michael Murray.
As jurors left the court room, Mr Maduta stood and said to them: “Thank you very much.”