A strictly Orthodox man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl walked free after the case against him was thrown out.

Efraim Cray, 32, of Tottenham, north London, had faced three charges of sexual assault at his trial last year, but was acquitted of one charge when the judge directed the jury to find him not guilty.

He was cleared of the remaining two charges at Snaresbrook Crown Court this week after the complainant withdrew her allegations.

The first trial against Mr Cray had collapsed when the alleged victim, a member of Stamford Hill’s strictly Orthodox community, admitted she told lies during her police interview.