A policeman who was accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl was yesterday freed by a seven-member jury.

Constable Newton Bentley, 48, who is attached to Mobile Reserve, Harman Barracks, was charged with carnal abuse and indecent assault.

The jury retired for an hour and found him not guilty of the charges.

The Crown led evidence in the Home Circuit Court that, sometime in 2004, the policeman sexually assaulted the 12-year-old girl.

Cross-examined by defence lawyer, Dwight Reece, the girl who is now 16 years old, admitted that on several occasions she had told lies. She said she was speaking the truth in relation to the incident.

Course of justice

Bentley, in his defence, said he was innocent of the charges.

Bentley was remanded as he is facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It is alleged that he took the girl to another parish in an effort to prevent her from attending court.

Justice Marva McDonald Bishop presided at the trial in the Home Circuit Court.