A FATHER-OF-TWO walked free from court after being cleared of sexually assaulting a teenager in her home.

Daryl D'Cruz, 62, was accused of kissing the 16-year-old girl and stroking her thigh when he called at her Shoebury home to fix a wheelchair.

But at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, the jury found Mr D'Cruz not guilty of two counts of sexual assault on June 27 last year.

Mr D'Cruz, of Linnett Drive, Chelmsford, denied the charges and insisted he was just being friendly when he kissed the young woman on the cheek.

He said he had taken a photo of her on his mobile phone, but said he only did so as he wanted to help her find work in the care industry.