A jury at Bradford Crown Court took just 90 minutes to deliver not guilty verdicts on all six charges - four of rape and two of sexual assault.

It was alleged the 12-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had carried out the offences in the Keighley area in April and May after allegations items of women's underwear had gone missing.

But medical evidence was inconclusive and the court was told the evidence largely came down to a question of which boy was believed to be more truthful.

A female neighbour who had known the accused since he was a toddler told the court he was "a lovely boy and a pleasure to have around. He was always polite, caring, thoughtful and considerate."

Asked by prosecutor Simon Kealey whether she had found the 12-year-old boy honest she replied "Yes".

Asked how she found the nine-year-old boy she said: "From personal experience I know there was an occasion when he wanted to go to something and I asked if he had permission and I later found out that he had not got permission."

The 12-year-old boy gave evidence to the court today and was asked about his relationship with the nine-year-old.

Defence council Robin Frieze asked him: "Did you go into his bunk and get into bed with him?"

The boy replied: "No, the only time I sat on the bed was when we were watching a DVD."

Mr Frieze then asked him: "Did you ask him if you could kiss him?"
The boy said: "No".

The prosecutor added: "Did you ever kiss him? Ever at all?" The boy replied: "No".

Mr Frieze told the jury as they prepared to consider their verdict: "We all appreciate this is a very unusual case for a Crown Court. It is rare for children of this age to be the main participants on both sides.

"You may have wondered whether this is the appropriate forum for deciding something like this. Sadly we are here and you have to decide it."

Afterward the verdicts were delivered the mother of the accused left the court with her son and declined to comment.