A COUNCILLOR accused of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl is to undergo a re-trial after a jury failed yesterday to reach a verdict in the case.

Harry Devine, 53, denied a charge of indecent assault and two counts of inciting the girl and a friend to commit an act of gross indecency, when both were aged 12.

It was alleged that the Easington district councillor, an independent member for the east Durham village of Wingate for the past five years, indecently assaulted the girl when he undressed her at his home after returning from a trip to Scarborough, where she became wet after falling into a lake.

He was also accused of asking the girl and a friend to show him their private parts, in return for £10, in an incident several months later.

Mr Devine, of Salters Lane, Wingate, said the girl involved in two of the charges made up the allegations because he had rebuffed her approaches for sex.

On the sixth day of a trial at Durham Crown Court, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on both counts of incitement to commit an act of gross indecency.

Despite being given a majority direction by Recorder Guy Kearl QC the jury was still unable to reach a verdict on the indecent assault charge.

They were, therefore, discharged and Recorder Kearl said it was now up to the prosecution as to what happens with the outstanding charge.

Prosecuting barrister Adrian Dent said: "I do have instructions to seek a re-trial, and, hopefully, it can be re- listed as soon as possible."

Recorder Kearl bailed Mr Devine to live in the interim at an address in London, to return for trial at a date to be arranged.