A MAN of 28 man has been cleared by a jury of twice having sex with a 13-year-old schoolgirl.

Christopher Garnett was found not guilty of two allegations of unlawful sexual intercourse after a trial at Burnley Crown Court.

The defendant, of Brunswick Street, Nelson, who denied the charges, was discharged from the dock by Judge Barbara Watson.

The court had heard prosecution claims the defendant, then 27, had had intercourse with the "besotted" alleged victim at two houses in Nelson.

Garnett was said to have told her he loved her, to have showered her with gifts, kissed her passionately and to have turned up at a house, armed with alcohol, where she was babysitting.

Giving evidence, Garnett told the jury he had regarded himself as a brotherly, responsible adult friend to the girl.

He said he was just being friendly towards her and did not realise she had a crush on him until about a week before he was arrested. Garnett said nothing sexual happened between he and the schoolgirl and he had not kissed her passionately. He told the court he had sent the girl almost 100 text messages, but did not think contact between them excessive.