A BRUNSWICK man’s relief was obvious after a year-long fight to clear his name ended in the Bunbury District Court on Thursday.
John Clifton, 77, was charged with seven counts of having indecent dealings with boys under the age of 14 dating back to the 1960s.
Twin brothers had accused Mr Clifton of the offence which they said took place in the late 1960s in various locations in Perth and the South West.
The court were played phone recordings from 2008 where Mr Clifton was heard apologising, but in court he claimed it had nothing to do with the accusations.
The men received a state government pay-out under a compensation scheme for abuse in care at the former Castledare Boys' Home in Wilson.
But at the end of a four day trial, the 12 jurors unanimously found Mr Clifton not guilty of all the charges against him.
Audible relief was heard in the public gallery from members of Mr Clifton’s family as the foreman of the jury read out the verdict.
Mr Clifton shook with emotion as Judge Simon Stone confirmed the ruling of acquittal and thanked the jury for their conscientious effort.
He then stepped down from the dock into the arms of his loved ones, some of who were crying with relief.
As the verdict sunk in, Mr Clifton told reporters the fight for justice had been long and difficult.
“I honestly have to say I did not feel I could be found guilty because I never did anything to them [the boys] but you never know what the jury might rule,” he said.
“There has been an outpouring of support from those who know me in the South West as well as family and friends interstate and overseas which I have been very grateful for.”
Mr Clifton also expressed his thanks to his lawyer John Myers before leaving the courtroom arm-in-arm with his daughter.
