CHARGES have been dropped against a man accused of being involved in the prostitution of a child.

Ryan Dolby, aged 27, spent more than five months in custody after being charged with controlling the activities of a 16-year-old child in relation to his prostitution.

The crimes were alleged to have taken place between February 1, 2013 and July 31, 2013.

He was due to stand trial for the offence at Bolton Crown Court yesterday but Henry Blackshaw, prosecutor, offered no evidence in the case.

Judge Peter Davies allowed Dolby, of Dingle Walk, Bolton, to be released from custody.

Dolby’s co-accused, Raymond Hawthorn, aged 50, has previously admitted two counts of controlling a child for use in prostitution, two counts of advertising the services of escorts and three counts of failing to comply with requirements necessary due to being a sex offender.

Two additional counts of advertising the services of escorts will lie on file.

Hawthorn will be sentenced in June.

Dolby threw a punch at Hawthorn in the dock when they both appeared in Bolton Magistrates Court on November 1 last year.

The court heard yesterday that Dolby and the “vulnerable” victim had both been manipulated by Hawthorn.