Maurice Dance. Ref exe 0635-21-12AW

A Budleigh Salterton man accused of sexually abusing a young girl sobbed with relief in the dock as he was cleared of all the allegations.

A jury sitting at Exeter Crown Court last month found Maurice William Dance, 59, of Queens Road, not guilty of five counts of indecently assaulting a child under the age of five and two counts of committing gross indecency with a child under the age of 14.

A 28-year-old woman had alleged Mr Dance had sexually abused her from 1987 until 1991.

A press ban imposed by the court meant the Journal has been prohibited from publishing any details of the trial, but the ban has now been lifted after two further charges against Mr Dance were withdrawn.

A full report of the trial will be in next Thursday’s Exmouth Journal.