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A Ringford pensioner has called for changes to the law after a court threw out rape allegations against him.

William Marshall spoke out after Lord Brodie acquitted him of all charges at the High Court in Dumfries on Friday.

They had included the alleged rape of a young girl on various occasions between 1994 and 1999, and alleged indecent behaviour towards the girl on car journeys between Castle Douglas and Dumfries.

A further charge alleging he sexually assaulted another girl, aged 16, in a car was also struck down.

Speaking to the News after the trial, Mr Marshall, 70, said: “My name gets dragged through the gutter yet the women walk away scot-free. The law needs to change.

“This had a terrible impact on my family. They have been put through hell. The whole thing has been bloody awful for them.

“I didn’t let this affect me because I know I’m innocent.”

Mr Marshall believes that the law should be changed so that people accused of sex attacks are named only if they are found guilty.

Lord Brodie ruled there was no case to answer following a submission by defence advocate Donna Armstrong.

Minutes earlier he had ordered the jury to retire in order to allow Ms Armstrong to make her case.

The dramatic turn of events followed cross examination of two female witnesses for the prosecution.

The trial ended without any defence evidence being led.

Mr Marshall said: “Lord Brodie, the prosecution advocate and my lawyer had words before the jury came back in.

“I couldn’t hear what they were saying but that’s when the whole case fell to bits.

“The judge just said ‘Mr Marshall, you are free to leave the building.’”

Mr Marshall, who has been married to wife Betty for 45 years, condemned the false allegations against him.