TWO flatmates accused of raping a woman they met in a bar have been acquitted.
Andrew Page, 27, and Jordan Blanche, 26, were facing a single charge of rape after allegedly jointly assaulted the same woman in their flat in Bicester on Saturday, June 24, after meeting her in a bar in the town.
The men, self-employed mechanical engineers working for BMW in Oxford, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Friday (April 12) where ‘not guilty’ verdicts were entered for them both.
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Prosecutor Edward Lucas explained the case had been adjourned from last year as they were waiting for a medical report from the complainant which would provide evidence of ‘her inability to consent’.
However, he told the court: “I have since received that report and I’ve advised those who instruct me that there is no realistic prospect of conviction in this case.
“So the Crown will be offering no evidence.”
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Judge Ian Pringle officially entered not guilty verdicts for the men and acquitted them of the charge.
It was heard that their phones, which contained images of the alleged incident, will be returned to them as soon as the images have been deleted by the authorities.
The pair, who both provided addresses in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, were free to leave the court.
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