Church organist Nigel Parkin cleared of most serious offences

Nigel Parkin has been found not guilty on ten of the 17 charges against him
Nigel Parkin has been found not guilty on ten of the 17 charges against him
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A CHURCH organist accused of sexually abusing two girls over an 11-year period has been cleared of the most serious offences.

Nigel Parkin, 56, of North Street, Wiveliscombe, was cleared of ten of 17 sexual abuse charges by a jury at Taunton Crown Court yesterday (March 15).

Mr Parkin, who was also a community radio presenter on 10Radio in Wiveliscombe, was found not guilty on two counts of indecent assault on one girl, and eight counts of rape against another.

The jury was discharged after deliberating for almost 11 hours after it could not reach a majority verdict on the remaining seven charges.

The prosecution now has six days to decide whether to pursue a re-trial on the outstanding charges.

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