A CARER accused of committing a sex act on a severely autistic man has been cleared by a jury.

David Ridley showed no emotion as the not guilty verdict was passed after a trial at Teesside Crown Court lasting six days.

Judge Tony Briggs said the 55-year-old was free to leave the court after the unanimous verdict.

Mr Ridley, of Strait Lane, Hurworth, near Darlington, who denied a charge of engaging in sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder, began looking after the alleged victim in January last year.

He was suspended by his employer and later arrested and charged after the man began detailing his apparent ordeal.

The complainant described Mr Ridley as a “nasty man” and told other staff about a sex act on him said to have been committed by Mr Ridley.

Mr Ridley told his trial he believed the alleged victim disliked him and said the police were hostile when they questioned him.

He described himself as a straight, honest person and said he was deeply shocked by his experience, having been “put through hell”.

He also said the allegation led him to consider taking his life on more than one occasion and that he was taking antidepressants.

Mr Ridley, a former steel and forestry worker, moved into care work in 2000 and looked after people with conditions such as Parkinson’s and motor neurone disease.

During the case, he received testimonials from several individuals, including a GP and school teacher.

When questioned during his trial, he said he had no intention of returning to care work, in which he had a ten-year unblemished record.

Judge Briggs had told the jury members they should consider Mr Ridley’s good character in reaching the verdict, but also said it should not preclude them from finding him guilty.