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ALAN HOLDEN ... getting his life back to normal.
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My hell - by cleared sex charge man
Exclusive by Lisa Kenyon9/ 5/2008
A POPULAR village postmaster has spoken of his 18 months of hell after being cleared of sex assaults on a 12-year-old girl and a pregnant woman.
Alan Holden, 60, who has run the Dill Hall Lane Post Office in Church for 18 years, broke down in tears when he won the battle to clear his name after a four-day trial at Burnley Crown Court.
He had denied four charges of indecent assault, said to have occurred between January 1996 and December 1999, and one sexual assault, alleged to have been committed in October 2006.
Mr Holden, who had no previous convictions, told the jury both alleged victims were lying and the jury took just four minutes to return a not guilty verdict.
In an exclusive interview with the Observer, the father-of-two and grandfather of two boys said they were the longest four minutes of his life.
He said: "When the verdict was announced it was such a relief. I felt like I was walking three feet above the ground. It had just been a dark mist until then but now I can look forward to the future.
"Everybody that knows me has been so supportive. That’s what kept me going."
Mr Holden said the 12-year-old girl often came into the shop and helped count pennies and tidy cards before making the shock allegation that he had given her massages, given her money and sweets and talked about taking her to Thailand.
He said: "We had taken her under our wing. She was like the granddaughter my wife Gail and I never had.
"I can’t put into words how I was feeling when she made the complaint. It was devastating. It was like my whole world had collapsed."
The police investigated at the time but no charges were brought.
Then, 18 months ago, Mr Holden said he was invited to feel a 19-year-old customer’s unborn baby kicking in what he described as a totally innocent situation.
But the woman went home and said he had sexually assaulted her.
Mr Holden said: "The woman, who lived next door to the girl who made the initial allegation, told the police that I had pulled her pants down and done something which my barrister proved was impossible.
"The police came and arrested me, which was hugely traumatic. They took my DNA and decided to lump the two incidents together and press charges.
"It has been sheer hell for the past 18 months for me, my wife and my family. It’s been a living nightmare.
"I have always known I was innocent. My family have always known I was innocent. And my friends and customers have known I was innocent. I have received over 100 cards, emails and letters of support and have been totally overwhelmed.
"I have no wish for revenge. I just want to put the whole thing behind me and get my life back to normal."
During the trial Mr Holden, who heard himself described by the prosecution as a sexual predator, told the jury he and his wife were naturists who walked around with nothing on as part and parcel of everyday life.
He added: "That has nothing to do with it. Even the judge said it had no bearing on the case. We have always told the truth about that."
Mr Holden said that throughout the investigation, the families of the "victims" had continued to visit the shop.
He is now looking forward to a short break away with his wife to unwind.
And later this year, they plan to celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary with a trip to New Zealand.
Mr Holden said: "We have a very strong marriage and we have no secrets from each other. This whole ordeal has just proved what a strong family we are."
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
14/05/2008 at 06:33
Got an opinion you want to share?Are parents to blame for the actions of children causing mayhem in Peel Ward?
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