A Colchester man accused of sexually assaulting a woman more than two decades ago has been cleared by a jury.

Before Ipswich Crown Court was Lea Arnold, 41, of Churchill Way, Colchester, who denied four offences of indecent assault, indecency with a child and attempted rape dating back to the 1980s, and was acquitted of them all.

During Arnold’s trial, which started last week, the court heard the complainant got in touch with him several years after the alleged offences took place because she felt she was entitled to money for the “hurt” he had allegedly caused her.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting, told the court the police were contacted about the allegations in 2015.

He said that following the alleged assaults by Arnold the alleged victim told the leaders of a church he attended about the allegations and he had been asked not to attend any more.

Giving evidence the alleged victim denied blackmailing Arnold and threatening “ to go to the papers” if he didn’t give her money.