Sex abuse claims boss cleared

BUSINESSMAN accused of hiring pretty girls to ogle and flirt with in the office has been cleared of all charges of sexual assault.

Jurors took 40 minutes to reject allegations against insurance firm boss Stephen Perry made by two former 17-year-old apprentices, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

They claimed he sexually assaulted them at Kimberworth Insurance Bureau in Rotherham and engaged in sexual banter.

A 17-year-old apprentice claimed Perry patted her bottom, slapped the top of her thigh and ran his hands over her breast, while an apprentice clerk claimed he grabbed her hips and moved himself against me at the back of me.

But the jury at Sheffield Crown Court rejected the allegations, four of which were made by one girl and three by another.

After the hearing Mr Perry (58), a widower who was married at the time of the allegations, said the case should never have been brought.

He said: “I feel I have been vindicated. These allegations were unfounded and I told the police as much.”

Mr Perry said he encouraged a friendly, relaxed atmosphere at work and his accusers misconstrued things.

Mr Perry’s address was given in court as West Bawtry Road, Canklow, but he said he no longer lived there.