Man facing 18-year-old child sex allegation discharged

Raymond Portman, 50, was discharged from the dock at Burnley Crown Court after Judge Barbara Watson said he would not get a fair trial.

The court had been told his defence team had found it impossible to put together a proper case because of a lack of precise details about the allegations. The defendant was said to have been denied opportunities to compile detailed evidence of where he was and what he was doing at the time.

The alleged victim had not made a complaint to police until January this year, although she told her mother what she claimed happened at the time of the offences. There was no "contemporaneous" evidence of what was said to have happened.

Mr Portman, of Beech Street, Barnoldswick, denied two counts of indecent assault and two of indecency with a child, said to have taken place 18 years ago.

The judge said the court was not making any finding that the alleged victim's statement was in any way unsatisfactory or that she lied. She went on: "That may be some comfort, although, I fear, cold comfort."

Judge Watson said the alleged victim had claimed Mr Portman had encouraged her to look for coins down his trousers and instructed her to fondle him. The complainant, now 28, also claimed Mr Portman had looked for money on her, touched her indecently and had pressed himself against her when he had been naked in his bedroom.

Judge Watson said there was a delay of about 18 years between the last allegation and the police being informed. She told the court the defence claimed there was no independent evidence to support the girl's allegations, no medical or scientific evidence and no contemporaneous documentary evidence.

The judge concluded Mr Portman was in an "impossible position", because there was no material he could put to the alleged victim to suggest her evidence was inaccurate or to attack her credibility.

She went on: "The defendant has been materially prejudiced in the conduct and preparation of his defence."