Christchurch man Nicholas Foreman is cleared of raping 14-year-old girl

A CHRISTCHURCH man who was accused of raping a 14-year-old girl within half an hour of meeting her has been found not guilty.

Nicholas Foreman (43), of The Meadway, broke down sobbing in the dock at Winchester Crown Court and mouthed “thank you” as the jury returned their verdict.

Prosecutor Charles Gabb had claimed he had assaulted the schoolgirl after the pair met outside the Standing Order pub in Southampton on 15th February this year.

But after deliberating for nearly three days the jury found him not guilty of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

He was also cleared of one alternative charge of sexual activity with a child but the jury failed to reach a verdict on two other charges of the same offence.

Earlier in the trial the judge had ordered the jury to find the defendant not guilty of a charge of anal rape and an alternative charge of sexual activity with a child after the prosecution stated there was no case to answer on these two counts.

Mr Gabb said the Crown Prosecution Service would consider whether it would seek a re-trial on the two charges which the jury had failed to reach a verdict on.