Sex abuse trial collapses

The trial of an elderly man accused of the repeated rape and sexual abuse of three teenagers over 40 years ago has collapsed following closing speeches from the prosecution and defence.

The 75-year-old had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 12 charges of rape and one of indecent assault in relation to a female complainant and 14 charges in relation to both rape and indecent assault of a second female complainant on dates between January 1, 1970 and August 31, 1973. The girls were aged between 13 and 16 years old at the time.