The accused stood trial on historic sexual offence charges arising from allegations by his stepdaughter dating back approximately 38 years.
The court found the complainant's evidence unconfirmed, affected by the passage of time, and weakened by concerns about responsiveness, reliability, and the surrounding circumstances of disclosure.
Although the court accepted there were some positive aspects to the evidence and considered the possibility that physical abuse may have occurred, it was not satisfied to the criminal standard that the charged sexual offences were proven.
The accused was acquitted on all counts.
