Former TV presenter John Leslie has been cleared of sexual assault after the charge was found not proven in a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The 53-year-old was accused of putting his hand down a woman’s trousers and touching her bottom as they danced on her hen night in Atik nightclub, in Edinburgh last June.
Appearing under his real name, John Stott, the former presenter had denied the charge, which was found not proven by Sheriff Adrian Cottam on Friday after a two-day trial.
Giving evidence during the case, Leslie said: “There was no sexual assault. I did not put my hands down her trousers. It’s something I would never do and have never done. I’m upset at the allegation.”
He said she asked him to dance and he did so in a “proper and very respectful manner”, and once the dance ended she continued to dance with her friends “as if nothing had happened”.
Earlier, his alleged victim, who cannot be named, gave evidence and said Leslie put his hand down the back of her trousers and touched her bottom.
She cried as she said she had nothing to gain by making the allegation up and it had affected her relationships with her friends and husband.
Speaking outside court, Leslie told reporters: “First of all, I’m obviously relieved at the court’s verdict today, clearing my name. Because I know I did nothing wrong that night a year ago and I’ve said so from the very beginning.
“CCTV and DNA prove that no assault took place. It’s now time to move on from this year of hell.
“I’d like to thank my mum, dad and my brother and those close to me for getting me through this ordeal. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here today. It’s been quite a process. That’s all I can say.”
Responding to a question on the verdict of not proven, his father, who was standing beside him, said emphatically: “It doesn’t leave any doubt, he is innocent, absolutely, positively innocent.”