Two cleared of Forest child abuse

A jury in the trial of seven people accused of child abuse dating back to 1968 in Hampshire's New Forest has cleared two defendants.

Ian Whitlock, 66, of Cull Lane, New Milton, was found not guilty of indecent assault and sexual assault.

Maureen Brooks, 63, of Church Lane, Lymington, was found not guilty of five counts of child cruelty, and cleared of two more cruelty charges.

But her husband Michael Brooks, 66, was found guilty of five cruelty charges.

On the judge's direction, Michael Brooks was found not to have incited someone to engage in sexual activity.

The jury has yet to return verdicts against him on five counts of indecent assault, five counts of rape and one count of sexual activity with a child.

Charges denied

Brooks was judged unfit to plead, but a Court of Appeal ruling meant the jury could decide whether he committed the alleged acts.

The jury at Southampton Crown Court, which has been deliberating since last Tuesday morning, has also yet to return verdicts on four other defendants:

• Nico Sharque, 45, of Rudd Close, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, charged with one count of indecent assault

• Patricia Harris, 57, of Hare Lane, New Milton, charged with one count of attempted rape

• John Wells, 58, of St James Street, Brighton, charged with one count of indecent assault

• Peter Saville, 64, of Winston Way, Ringwood, charged with one count of sexual activity with a child

The charges relate to six victims.

All the defendants denied all the charges, which date back as far as 1968.

Earlier in the trial, Terence Shave, 65, of Bramshaw Way, New Milton, was cleared of indecent assault while Patrice Budd, of Avon Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, was found not guilty of indecency with a child.