An acting lieutenant colonel who had his life “turned upside down” by a sexual assault claim has walked free from court.

Samuel Hughes, 38, went to the Ubiquitous Chip, in Glasgow’s Ashton Lane on November 14 2014, where he ended up speaking to the woman who later accused him of assault.

Mr Hughes described how the female told him to be “more flamboyant” and touched his chest area, before he, in a “slightly camp” manner, touched her back on the chest area, and said “oh stop it”.

Sheriff David Young QC found Mr Hughes not guilty of sexual assault.

He accepted the account that he mimicked the woman’s actions towards him.

Mr Hughes said: “I always try to live my life by the Army’s code of honour and respect, but over a year ago this person almost destroyed my life with this hideous and false allegation."

Lawyers for the high-ranking officer are now looking to have the woman prosecuted for perjury.