A VICAR and former teacher accused of molesting pupils more than 30 years ago has been acquitted by a jury on all counts.

James Andrew Christopher Wilson was found not guilty by a Plymouth jury on all 16 counts of indecently assaulting children under the age of 13 which he had faced.

The charges related to a time when he was teaching in Plymouth, between 1974 and 1981, and were alleged to have involved seven girls and four boys aged six to nine.

The jury had deliberated for seven hours and six minutes, following the eight-day trial at Plymouth Crown Court.

Returning their verdict, the foreman replied 'not guilty' in response to each count as it was read out.

The Rev Canon Wilson, the Rector and Rural Dean of Calstock, left the dock without saying a word after the verdicts. The public gallery was filled with members of Canon Wilson's congregation, his family and friends, who have supported him throughout.

Canon Wilson did not wish to speak to the press outside the court house, but colleague the Rev Robert Oakes said: 'Support for Andrew had never wavered from the moment this broke.

'No one can imagine what it's like for anyone in that situation. We are just pleased it's over.'

Canon Wilson, aged 61 and from Calstock, taught at a primary school in Plymouth in the 1970s and 1980s.

He was ordained in September 1982 and became a full-time priest in 1985.

During the trial, Canon Wilson told the court he was responsible for the teaching of English, literacy and reading but denied letting children read aloud to the class.

He said that during story time, where children would all sit on the carpet and he would read to them from a chair, he encouraged an informal, relaxed atmosphere.

He told the court: 'Children could get close so they could get enthralled in the story. In the 70s, we were encouraged to create a family atmosphere. Sometimes they would lean on my shoulder.

'Sometimes they would sit on my lap if they were concerned or worried about something.

'I never touched any of them in a way that was inappropriate.'