Ian Grassick found unanimously not guilty

Ian Charles Grassick, 59, of Stavely Road, Southport was found unanimously not guilty by a jury in less that half an hour of deliberations.

Over the three days of his trial Grassick repeatedly denied claims that he touched the woman inappropriately, after he picked her up following her birthday night out at the Fox and Goose.

Grassick has no previous criminal convictions and the court heard about his many medical issues, including diabetes, gall bladder removal and mobility issues.

Forensic tests also revealed that Grassick’s DNA was not present on the complainants trousers or knickers.

Peter Killen defending said:

“The complainant’s evidence has changed every time she has spoken to police, during the 999 call, her interview and when officers attended her house she has added another detail, it is not consistent.

“She maintains that Mr Grassick pounced on her, but then in the 999 call she states that they had a cigarette together and there was some conversation, these two statements can not live in the same world as each other.

“Mr Grassick is telling the truth, at every opportunity his evidence has remained consistent, he fully co-operated with police and he knew things about the defendant such as her job, her husband and the fact she had been out celebrating her birthday. He could only have known these things if they had had a conversation.”

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