A FORMER Salvation Army leader accused of indecently assaulting a teenage girl had been cleared of all charges against him.Friends and family of William Dixey, 56, broke down in tears and hugged each other as the foreman of the jury at Ipswich Crown Court announced the not guilty verdicts yesterday, after five hours of deliberations.

A FORMER Salvation Army leader accused of indecently assaulting a teenage girl had been cleared of all charges against him.

Friends and family of William Dixey, 56, broke down in tears and hugged each other as the foreman of the jury at Ipswich Crown Court announced the not guilty verdicts yesterday, after five hours of deliberations.

When Dixey, a self employed builder who was a leader at the Salvation Army Citadel in Sudbury, was discharged from the dock he went straight over to his wife of 30 years, Glenda and embraced her.

Dixey of New Street, Sudbury, had denied three charges of indecently assaulting a teenage girl. The allegations dated back to the 1990s. Dixey was cleared of one of the allegations on Monday on the direction of the trial judge Peter Thompson after hearing a legal submission by defence counsel.

Yesterday the jury retired to consider its verdicts, on the two remaining charges after a week long trial.

During the trial it was alleged that Dixey kissed and indecently touched the girl over a two-year period leading up to her 16th birthday. Giving evidence, Dixey a church organist, said he was friends with the schoolgirl and helped her after she had family problems.

Dixey denied ever taking advantage of the girl or making sexual advances towards her.

During the trial numerous defence witnesses paid tribute to Dixey either in court or in letters, describing him as "a man of integrity" and a "very genuine caring person" other witnesses said he was a "hugely respected man" as well as being a selfless member of the community.

After the case Dixey declined to comment.