THE family of a man cleared of indecently assaulting a woman in her home have called for the laws of anonymity to be extended to defendants in sex cases.

Nineteen-year-old Christopher Gill, of Staindrop Road, Darlington, was found not guilty at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday last week. Following the verdict, his parents, Veronica and Robert Gill, have spoken out at their disgust at the law which means alleged victims of sex attacks are not publicly named, but the accused are, even if they are later found not guilty.

Mrs Gill said: "My son was proved to be not guilty of any crime, but his name has been blackened.

"Why should he be named in court while the woman who accused him was protected by law?

"Everywhere Christopher goes people have seen his name in the papers. They don't remember the result just the fact he was connected in this case. It is so unfair."

Mr and Mrs Gill are calling for the law to be changed so everyone involved in sex cases has anonymity until a verdict is reached.

Mr Gill said: "My son has never been involved in any trouble before and this has really affected him and the whole family.

"This has hung over us for a year and now everyone knows Christopher's name it will take even longer to get over."