A PENSIONER has been acquitted of a string of historic sex offences.

Basil Williams, of Ryder Close, Oxford, had denied gross indecency with a child, five counts of indecent assault and three counts of rape in the 80s and 90s.

Jurors were unable to reach verdicts when the 82-year-old faced trial earlier this year.

But prosecutors have since decided against a retrial and offered no evidence, Oxford Crown Court confirmed.

The charges related to a girl under the age of 16.

Mr Williams appeared at the court to enter his not guilty pleas in July 2015, before facing trial in January 2017.

The Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence during a hearing at the court on January 31, 2017.

**An earlier version of the story reported that Mr Williams had denied the offences. It has now been updated to reflect the most up-to-date situation.