Man cleared of sexual assault in second trial (From Ledbury Reporter)

Man cleared of sexual assault in second trial

12:00pm Wednesday 18th April 2012 in News

A 42-YEAR-old man has been cleared of sexual assault following a previous trial over the same incident when no verdict was reached.

Jesse Frayling, of Sandown, Munderfield, Bromyard, was discharged at Worcester Crown Court after a jury of nine women and three men returned a not guilty verdict.

Frayling was accused of an attack on an 18-year-old girl he met at the Job Centre in Hereford in April 2010.

She claimed that he made sexual comments leading up to an incident in Castle Green, Hereford.

He said he wanted to have sex with her and described her as “gorgeous and sexy”. But prosecutor Jason Pegg said the girl made it clear that she had a boyfriend and was not interested in him. Despite this, she claimed he forced a kiss upon her and tried to undo her jeans.

When arrested, Frayling admitted he was “a bit drunk” after drinking a litre of cider but denied grabbing or touching the girl.

Giving evidence, Frayling dismissed any sex talk and insisted their conversation was innocent.

Defence counsel Julian Harris maintained that the teenager had had ample opportunity to speak to a passer-by if she had felt any concerns.