A Co Down man accused of sexually abusing two young girls has walked free from Belfast Crown Court after his alleged victims could not face giving evidence against him.
Mr Joseph Newell (46), from Ashbury Road, Bangor, was freed by Judge James Brady, who directed the jury to acquit him after the prosecution said it, was offering no evidence against him.
Two months ago another Crown Court jury failed to agree on a verdict in his case - after the girls had claimed in evidence Mr Newell had sexually abused them 20 years ago.