THE assistant manager of a Hereford nightclub has been cleared of raping a woman.

She claimed Rikki Reynolds forced her to have sex against her will after she went home with him.

But a jury heard both had been drinking.

Mr Reynolds, aged 30, of Bastion Mews, Union Street, Hereford, was so shocked by the allegation he likened it to being 'set up' in a film.

He had offered the 21 year-old woman a bed for the night but they began kissing and ended up making love.

He said as she left she showed anxiety about what they had done.

Mr Reynolds admitted staggering following after-work drinks and the woman told Worcester Crown Court she was 'a bit tipsy' on alcopops.

She alleged she became intimidated by Mr Reynolds and rejected his efforts to have sex.

She said she went home with him because he was drunk and she wanted him to get there safely. But Mr Reynolds said she followed him and began flirting before enjoying the one-night stand.

He added: "She was very willing. She hadn't had sex for months. She didn't say stop or anything. She was very happy being there and said it was exciting."

Defence counsel Mr Dele Alakija suggested the woman felt used and invented the claim.