A MAN has been cleared of a charge of sexual assault after it was alleged he had inappropriately touched a woman.

Ross Colbourne was on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting a woman at her home in Harwich last year.

He also faced a charge of assault after it was alleged he punched the woman’s partner in the face.

The court had been told Mr Colbourne lashed out after he was confronted.

However, after hearing the evidence, the jury at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday cleared Mr Colbourne of both charges.

The victim had claimed Mr Colbourne, 28, of Valley Road in Dovercourt, had knocked on her door unannounced asking for a cigarette. She and her partner said Mr Colbourne touched her leg, backside and breast and refused to leave when he was asked.

The woman’s partner said in court Mr Colbourne had punched him in the face as the argument became heated.

However, Mr Colbourne had denied both charges and said he was acting in self-defence when he punched the woman’s partner.

He said the woman’s partner had threatened him with a knife.

He also said the reason he had gone round to the house in the first place was he had heard shouting from inside.

Judge David Turner officially acquitted Mr Colbourne after the jury reached their verdict yesterday.

Speaking after the trial, Mr Colbourne said: "I would like to say this has been an embarrassing and very distressing ordeal. The worst experience of my life.

"I would like to to thank my friends and family and both of my solicitors for there help in court to prove my innocence, and most importantly the jury for making the right decision. I can now move on with my life and put this all behind me."