A BOLTON man says he has been vindicated after being found not guilty of sexual assault for a second time.

Paul Bisson was cleared of two charges of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 and a charge of sexual assault at Bolton Crown Court.

Following the verdict, Mr Bisson, of Scowcroft Street, Tonge Moor, vowed to start afresh with his life.

The not guilty verdict comes five years after Mr Bisson was also cleared of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl.

The 50-year-old said: "For the last few years I've wanted a quiet life and all I've wanted to do is clear my name.

"I've had people avoid me, call me horrible names and it's drained me physically and mentally.

"My friends stood by me but they had hassle as well.

"All I want to do now is start building my life back up and get on with my life as I was doing.

"It has been stressful but I've got a chance now to start afresh."

In 2010 Mr Bisson was charged with three counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 and two counts of inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He was found not guilty on all five charges after two days of deliberation by the jury at Preston Crown Court.

He told The Bolton News the accusations had put him through a year of hell in which his property, and friends, were attacked.

The incident was alleged to have taken place during a party at a house in Accrington.

Mr Bisson claimed he had been falsely accused.

However, he was charged with three counts of assaulting a girl under the age of 13 and two counts of inciting a girl under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He was found not guilty on all five charges after two days of deliberation by the jury.