A radio presenter was cleared of sexually abusing a boy 40 years ago.

Kevin Johns, 60, of Loughor Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, had denied indecently assaulting the boy who was 14 at the time of the allegations.

He disputed a prosecution claim that he “selfishly and arrogantly” grasped the opportunity for sexual gratification as a 20-year-old, rather than as the older Kevin Johns who was part of the Swansea “glitterati.”

Caernarfon crown court heard he had hosted a breakfast show on Swansea Sound for 25 years, charity events in the city and at Swansea City FC, and appeared in pantomime. Awarded an MBE, he was panto dame in Peter Pan at his local Grand Theatre and had also worked for the BBC.

Questioned by his barrister Matthew Roberts about whether he was guilty, he had replied :”Not at all, no.” He said he had also hosted events when the public and police were honoured for bravery and had fundraised for Childline and the NSPCC.

Mr Johns, who’d been to London Bible College before being asked to work at a church in Liverpool and transferring to Colwyn Bay, called the allegations “nonsense.”

But prosecutor Elen Owen claimed to the ex-preacher :”Your sins have found you out?”

He said: "No.”

Counsel said his alleged victim had described the process whereby an adult “grooms” a child. “All my life I have worked and fought to protect children from situations such as this. It wasn’t me,” Mr Johns maintained.

The defendant became emotional as he was quizzed by the prosecutor. He asked her :”Why do you say these things?”

He added in reply to a question: "I feel sorry for anyone who has been through that situation. But it was nothing to do with me.” He denied being the alleged abuser and said the complainant was lying.

Mr Johns whispered to the jury from the dock after being cleared :”Thank you, thank you.”

Judge Timothy Petts told him: "You leave with your good name intact and without a mark on your reputation.”

Outside court, his solicitor Matthew Murphy said: "A special thanks must be given to the countless people who have supported Mr Johns, especially those who have provided witness evidence for him.

“The kind wishes he has received from across the community have kept him going through these darkest of months. The nature of these allegations sicken Mr Johns to the core. They go against everything that he stands for. He has always denied these offences and has never shied away from defending himself in these proceedings and the initial police investigation.

“He is thankful that finally, he is exonerated. Mr Johns and his family would ask for time to reflect, regroup and consider his next move. These proceedings, by their very nature, have had a catastrophic effect on Mr Johns’s life and career."