Gwent Police: Hung jury discharged in John Stringer sex case

John Stringer denied five charges of sexual offences against a girl

A jury has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict in the case of a police officer accused of sexually abusing a girl.

Gwent Police's John Stringer, 41, from Cardiff, denied five counts of sexually abusing a girl under 13.

At Cardiff Crown Court Judge Daniel Williams asked prosecutors to make a decision by next Friday about whether they will seek a retrial.

Mr Stringer has been bailed until Friday.

The jury of seven women and five men spent three-and-a-quarter hours considering evidence before the judge said he would accept a majority verdict.

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Two-and-a-quarter hours later they said they could not reach a verdict.

The judge thanked them for their duty and discharged them.

The jury in John Stringer's case was discharged after failing to reach a verdict

In total Mr Stringer pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault by touching; two of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; and one of causing a child to watch a sexual act.