A BRADFORD driving instructor has been cleared today of five charges involving the alleged sexual abuse of three young girls.

The jury at Bradford Crown Court was unable to reach a verdict on a sixth charge against Duncan Carney, alleging sexual activity with a seven-year-old child.

The panel was discharged after the foreman this afternoon told the judge that giving them more time would not do any good.

Carney, 53, of Norwood Street, Bankfoot, was acquitted of four charges of sexual activity with a child under 13 and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

His bail was enlarged by Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC while a decision is made by the Crown on whether to have a retrial on the outstanding charge.

Prosecutor Glenn Parsons asked for several days in which to make a decision.

During the trial, Carney was alleged to have molested three girls, aged between seven and 12, after enticing them with money and chocolate biscuits.

He was arrested in July last year after a seven-year-old girl was found by her father alone in the street after midnight when she should have been asleep at a friend's house.

She said Carney had put his hand inside her clothing on a dark staircase and touched her indecently.

Carney chose not to give evidence in the trial but his barrister, Tim Capstick, said he was an innocent man.

Mr Capstick said Carney had no history of sexual offending and he was a hard working man.

Carney told the police he may have mistakenly touched a 12-year-old girl on the chest while trying to take a chocolate biscuit away from her.

He said it was unintentional and he apologised.

He denied offering the girl 50 pence to show him her knickers and £1 to drop them while she was cleaning his car.

Carney said he did offer her extra money for the task but it was if she polished the dashboard after she had vacuumed the vehicle.

During the trial, the court heard that angry relatives meted out "summary justice" after their children had complained to them about Carney's behaviour.

Mr Capstick said that Carney was a naturally friendly man who had allowed youngsters to play in his garden.

He blew kisses at one girl in a non sexual way that was misconstrued by her mother.