Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said:
“When serious allegations are made and the evidence in a case passes the prosecution test it is right that a jury considers the evidence. That is the way our legal system works, the prosecution decides that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction whereas the jury must decide the case is proved beyond all reasonable doubt. When a jury delivers a verdict, no matter what it is, that is justice being done.
“We have a duty to those who make complaints of serious offences to listen to the allegations, and assess the evidence against the same evidential standards we use for all criminal cases, no matter who makes the complaint, or who the complaint is against.
“This case was treated like any other - what mattered were the allegations and the evidence and nothing else, and we fully respect the decisions of the jury and thank them for their careful deliberation.”
