THE trial of a cleaner, accused of sexually assaulting two schoolgirls by luring them into an office, has collapsed.

Douglas Nesburn, who has a mental age of 11, was accused of locking the girls aged 11, in the office after sexually assaulting them.

The Reading Crown Court jury was discharged on Thursday, the third day of the hearing, after Piers Reed, defending, complained part of the evidence given was inadmissible.

The jury had been asked to decide whether the defendant, deemed not fit to enter a plea because of his low IQ, had committed the offences alleged against him. But they were not required to return a verdict of guilty or not guilty.

The 29-year-old, who lives in Bowerdean Road, High Wycombe, faced two charges of indecent assault, two charges of indecency with a child, and one of false imprisonment.

Judge Josh Lait discharged the jury after agreeing part of evidence submitted by the prosecution, was inadmis- sible.

He said: "Things have happened during this hearing which should not have. It's regrettable."

Nesburn was released on conditional bail. A decision is expected to be made over a retrial in the next two weeks.

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