A MAN has been cleared of historic sex abuse involving his female cousin.

The man, who is now 33, always denied the allegations which was said to have taken place in Hyndburn when his cousin was between the ages of eight and 15 and he was between 12 and 19.

The allegations involved performing sex acts as a forfeit for losing games of football, hide and seek and on the Playstation.

Neither the defendant or his alleged victim can be named for legal reasons.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to nine counts of indecency with a child and 13 indecent assaults over an eight year period and all against the same victim.

On the third day of trial the prosecution offered no evidence and the case was dropped.