John Leslie in tears as pal Anthea Turner shares relief after not guilty verdict

Anthea Turner voiced her "unbelievable relief" as her friend John Leslie was found not guilty.

Leslie collapsed in tears in the dock when he was found not guilty of sexual assault in a 23 minute hearing at London's Southwark Crown Court on Monday.

The 55-year-old had always denied the alleged sexual assault in 2008.

Later on, his pal Anthea threw her support behind the star on Instagram as she "couldn't be happier" at the not guilty verdict.

In the social media post to her fans, the TV presenter referred to her pal John as an "amazing gentle giant".

She wrote: "John Leslie has AGAIN been given the verdict NOT GUILTY The shot was taken last week after Diane and I joined him and his Dad at Southwark Court.

"Unbelievable relief for our amazing gentle giant of a friend but personal anger that he has had his life ripped apart over the years.

"However justice has today prevailed and I couldn’t be happier."

Her public message was accompanied with a photograph from her lunch with John, his dad Les and Diane-Louise Jordan last week.

John was found not guilty after a charity fundraiser claimed he groped her breasts at a celebrity Christmas party at a bar in London's West End.

Leslie told the jury he didn't recognise the victim or meeting her and did not remember being at the party.

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