Ambulance man cleared of assault

An ambulance man accused of kissing a patient after she had a diabetic attack has been cleared of indecent assault.

David Tranah of Sussex Ambulance Service denied the charge which came after a colleague claimed she had seen him kneeling and kissing the woman.

Mr Tranah, 46, of Coldharbour Close, Crowborough, said he was using a pen torch to check the woman's pupils.

A Lewes Crown Court judge told the jury to clear Mr Tranah after the defence asked for the case to be thrown out.

Judge Charles Kemp told the jury they must return a not guilty verdict because they could not be sure Mr Tranah had "placed his lips against hers".

Mr Tranah had been called to the woman's home Eastbourne, in September 2003, after she suffered a low sugar attack.