THERE were screams from the public gallery when a 25-year-old man was cleared of rape for the second time.
A jury, reduced to 11 because of illness, returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on Simon Walters-Melville, formerly of Winslow View, Winslow, Bromyard and now of Tolladine Road, Worcester.
At a previous trial, a jury was unable to reach a verdict on Walters-Melville.
The prosecution alleged that he had taken advantage of a woman who was so drunk that she was unable to consent to sex.
The couple had met in March last year after drinking at various night spots in Worcester. They had shared a taxi to the woman's home and shared a bottle of wine.
The woman complained to police that she awoke in the lounge to find Walters-Melville on top of her having intercourse. She fled upstairs and telephoned a friend and then her mother.
Walters-Melville, a man of no previous convictions, said the woman kissed him and sat astride him before they had sex. He could have fled the house but was waiting for police when they arrived and opened the door. He claimed that she panicked after regretting sex.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article