The trial of a 34-year-old man charged with sexually exploiting a schoolgirl ended this afternoon after the jury failed to return a verdict.

The defendant — who cannot be identified for legal reasons — had denied six counts of sexual exploitation of a single girl while in a position of trust.

The victim said the first incidents began in 2011, when the victim was 11-years-old, while the later charges relate to incidents which took place last year.

Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons sent out the jury to deliberate at around 1.30pm, but after several hours found themselves deadlocked. Mrs Justice Simmons subsequently discharged the jury. The matter is set to return to the courts during the August arraignments session to be mentioned.