The former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been found not guilty of charges of 'aggravated pimping'.

He had denied the charges against him.

Mr Strauss-Kahn (66) has been acquitted by a French court. He was one of a dozen defendants, including a police chief, accused of participating or organising collective sexual encounters.

They were alleged to have happened in Paris, Washington and Brussels over a three year period up to 2011.

His trial heard he admits participating in orgies because he needed 'recreational sessions' while he was busy saving the world from one of the worst financial crises.

During the three-week trial in the French city of Lille, Mr Strauss-Kahn has said he did not know the women participating in sex parties were prostitutes.

He also denied he organised the parties.

Reporter Catherine Field says the court found Mr Kahn did not promote or profit from prostitution, so he was let off.