A FORMER company boss has been cleared of trying to mislead the Child Support Agency.

Steven Crowe, 35, was found not guilty of using a false instrument with intent after a three day trial, at Burnley Crown Court.

The defendant, of Edge End Lane, Great Harwood, who had denied the charge, was discharged by Judge Lesley Newton.

He has no criminal convictions.

The jury had heard claims Crowe was alleged to have faxed a fake letter to the CSA, pretending it came from former partner Vivienne Livingstone and saying she had abandoned her fight for more cash towards the upkeep of their son.

The Crown had alleged Crowe was "caught red handed," when the document was found on his computer. The fax was sent from a machine with the number withheld.

Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, had claimed the defendant, then a director of Bowland Financial Management Ltd, Gisburn Road, Barrowford, had had a lot to lose.

He alleged Crowe had a six bedroomed house, a BMW and a "managing director's lifestyle," and there was a risk he may have to pay out more cash in child maintenance.

Crowe told the court he wrote the letter, but did not send it. He had no idea how what appeared to be Miss Livingstone's signature got on it.

He said the letter on the computer was not signed and it was not true he had been determined to pay no more in child maintenance than he was required to. Crowe said he paid £50 a week towards the child's upkeep.

Bowland Financial Management went into liquidation two weeks ago. The former finance director, Kevan Berry, previously of Scott Park Road, Burnley, has admitted theft of about £400,000 and is to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on April 4.