A JURY has been discharged after it failed to reach a verdict on seven historic sexual offence charges.

The panel had earlier returned not guilty verdicts on eight out of the 15 charges against Christopher Hardaker, 62, but said they could not agree on the rest and were relieved of their duty.

Hardaker is accused of sexually abusing two girls more than 35 years ago and could now face a re-trial next year.

Hardaker, who emigrated to Australia 16 years ago, had been on trial at Bradford Crown Court accused of 11 counts of indecent assault against the two girls, one aged between 10 and 14, and another aged between seven and nine, and four counts of rape against the older girl.

Hardaker, of Hodd Way, Western Australia, allegedly abused the girls over a number of years starting in the late 70s.

The incidents are alleged to have happened when Hardaker was living in Eccleshill.

Before lunch the jury found him not guilty of four counts of indecent assault against the younger girl, and was directed by the judge to find him not guilty of two counts of indecent assault against the older girl.

Judge David Hatton QC told the jury of 12 that he was willing to accept a majority rather than unanimous verdict on the remaining nine charges - four counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault, all against the older girl.

The jury retired for lunch and returned two further not guilty verdicts on another two indecent assault charges.

When they were asked by the judge if they could return majority verdicts on the remaining counts, they agreed they were unable to and were discharged.

The judge said: "You have clearly ejected a lot of effort into this case.
"You must take away that your failure to reach a verdict on all counts is not a reflection on you.

"This can happen from time to time."

Gerald Hendron, prosecuting, told the court he believes the Crown Prosecution Service will seek a re-trial.

He added: "I will consult with them further, but I know what the position will be."

Hardaker will find out next Friday if there will be another trial.

The trial began at the beginning of last week, and having heard all the evidence, the jury retired to consider their verdict on Tuesday afternoon.

Hardaker has always denied the charges.