Man accused of molesting girl speaks of "hell" (From Your Local Guardian)

Man accused of molesting girl speaks of "hell"

7:00am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Epsom By Lauren May

A man falsely accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl has spoken of his year-long "hell" as he tries to rebuild his life.

Manuel Bicho, 47, spoke exclusively to the Epsom Guardian after he was cleared at Guildford Crown Court of sexually touching the underage girl earlier this month.

Portuguese born Mr Bicho endured a five day trial before the jury returned their verdict of ‘not guilty’ on all three charges. Mr Bicho, who had maintained his innocence throughout denying any abuse of the girl, cried in relief on hearing the jury's verdict.

Speaking through an interpreter, he said: "I was so relieved and it was a big weight off my chest. I was very happy and I cried with relief. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just bizarre that these allegations were made."

In his closing speech George Zachery, defending, said that the girl, who has moderate learning difficulties, had lied when making the allegations against Mr Bicho which included three occasions of inappropriate touching and kissing between September and November 2010.

He said: "We are dealing with someone who has got a delayed development so that she in certain respects is eight or nine years old.

"When did you learn that lying was wrong? Was it about seven years old? Perhaps her developmental problem is the reason why she is saying a story which isn’t true."

On hearing the allegations made in December 2010, Mr Bicho: "I was shocked, absolutely shocked and disgusted really because I have a daughter the same age.

"It was an experience that you don’t ever want to go through.

"I never thought I would be sitting in that place and being accused of what I was accused of."

But despite being cleared of all charges Mr Bicho has said his life will never be the same again.

He said: "I can’t bear listening to police sirens or seeing a police near me because I think they are going to come and get me.

"I’m scared to interact with children now because I’m worried what people might say. It will never be the same again.

"People look at me in a different way. There are a few Portuguese cafes in Epsom but I can’t go into them because I am worried what people are going to say or the looks I will get.

"I can’t have a normal life like I used to."

Of the girl who made the allegations against him Mr Bicho said: "I don’t wish any harm to come of her but if I see her walking down the street I would cross the road to avoid her because that’s how it’s made me feel."

Mr Bicho, who works as a cleaner, no longer lives in Epsom, the unpleasant experience forcing him from his home.

Vivien De Sousa, 30 from Epsom, who has known Mr Bicho all her life, said: "He’s trying to get on with his life but this has really changed things. People have doubted him and it’s the people who he thought would never doubt him that have.

"I’m trying to persuade him to go to the doctors because it has affected him in many ways."

She added: "He hasn’t done anything wrong and it’s been proven. But the fact that these allegations have been put against him has completely changed his life."