A MAN accused of raping a child and sexually assaulting her friend may face a retrial after a jury failed to reach verdicts.

Emotions were running high at Bolton Crown Court after a jury of six men and six women found David Fielding not guilty of kidnapping two girls.

But, despite deliberating for almost eight hours following a two week trial, they could not reach verdicts on four offences — rape and sexual assault of a seven-year-old girl, sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Members of the girls' families fled the court room in tears and police were called as scuffles broke out inside the Blackhorse Street building between supporters of the defendant and those of the children.

Fielding, a 62-year-old grandfather, who denies committing any of the offences, was remanded in custody and the Crown Prosecution Service has until December 13 to decide whether to seek a retrial.

Judge Richard Gioserano told Fielding: "You have been acquitted by a jury on counts one and two. The prosecution will be given time to decide whether you will be retried [on the other counts]."

During the trial the prosecution alleged that Fielding tried to lure the two girls into his Georgina Court, Morris Green home with the promise of seeing his teddy bear collection.

The children were said to have been playing on a grassed area outside Fielding's flat on May 28, Spring Bank Holiday Monday, when he spotted them.

Giving evidence, girls claimed he had invited them inside, but Fielding maintained that the children followed him into his home and then wandered around the premises.

The prosecution alleged that, once inside the flat, Fielding sexually assaulted both girls. The court heard claims that the older girl managed to escape, but the younger child was unable to get out and Fielding was said to have raped her in his bedroom.

The following day the girls told their mothers what they said had happened.

The younger girl was taken to the specialist St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre where bruising and scratches were found.

During the trial the jury heard from several witnesses, including the children, whose video-taped police interviews were played.

When they were questioned in court via a video link the judge and barristers removed their wigs and gowns to make the process less intimidating for them.