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A construction worker has been found ‘not guilty’ of groping a young girl.
Manuel Antonio Marques Duarte (55) was this afternoon acquitted by a jury of seven women and five men of indecent assault after a three-day trial in the Royal Court.
Mr Duarte’s accuser claimed that he had put his hand into her leggings and underwear to grope her bottom and private parts.
The jury deliberated for just over two hours before returning their decision on the single charge of indecent assault.
Pictured: The jury heard three days' worth of evidence.
Mr Duarte has always denied the charge since the allegation was made and even took to the stand to give evidence on his own behalf.
Over the course of the trial, the jury heard testimony from Duarte’s child complainant, another child witness, a DNA ‘expert’, a Police Officer and several other witnesses in the vicinity on the evening in question who gave evidence both for the prosecution and defence.
Trial of man accused of groping young girl opens
Construction worker denies allegation on stand
Jury retires to consider verdict
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