A tutor's torment after a ten-year-old boy accused him of indecent assault was ended in less than ten minutes by a jury yesterday.

That was the speed with which they found private tutor Andrew Hawken, 43, not guilty.

Mr Hawken denied indecently touching the youngster during an English and maths lessons at the boy's home in Stillington, near Stockton, Teesside.

Judge David Bryant told the jury that the case depended entirely on the boy, and they must decide whether he was telling the truth.

Mr Hawken, who taught at Hurworth House School, near Darlington, was arrested on March 9. He had been suspended from teaching since then, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Mr Hawken, of Station Road, Middleton St George, near Darlington, was found not guilty of three charges of indecent assault on February 10, and 17 and March 2 last year