A CARER alleged to have sexually abused three teenage girls while working at children’s homes in East Lancashire has been cleared of nine charges.

Kevin Downes, 27, had denied 15 allegations of impropriety involving the youngsters during a seven-day hearing at Burnley Crown Court.

Downes, of Prospect Terrace, Stacksteads, was found not guilty by a jury of two offences of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust, involving one girl, and five offences of sexual activity with a child and two of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, against a second girl.

Jurors failed to reach verdict on six further offences of sexual activity with a child in relation to a third girl and were discharged by Judge Andrew Woolman.

Prosecutors must now decide whether to seek a retrial on the outstanding six charges and Downes was released on bail until those discussion have taken place.

NOTE: Downes appeared at Burnley Crown Court on November 24, 2014 for the outstanding six charges of sexual activity with a child to be dealt with.

However, the prosecution offered no evidence and the case was discontinued.