Telford rape case man cleared after woman fails to attend court

Amardeep Rana had denied the charge and an allegation of intimidating a witness.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court the prosecution offered no further evidence and, on the direction of Judge Jim Tindal. the jury found Rana not guilty of both offences.

The trial started on Tuesday when the 33-year-old woman alleged the incident happened in July last year.

A DVD of her police interview was played to the jury and she gave evidence via a video link to the court.

The jury heard she had been drinking vodka and beer in the early hours of July 5 at the defendant's flat in Far Vallens, Hadley, and claimed the incident happened after she passed out and she woke to find him having sex with her.

It was also alleged that in August the defendant had threatened the woman to get her to drop the case.

The court heard DNA tests showed Rana had had sex with the woman, but he had told police she had consented and that she had instigated the sexual activity and stole his watch before leaving the flat.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to have been cross-examined by Rana's defence counsel, Mr Paul Smith, when the trial resumed at court yesterday.

However, she did not arrive at court and subsequent inquiries by police revealed that she was not at her Telford home and could not be traced.

As a result Miss Samantha Powis, prosecuting, offered no further evidence against the defendant and he was cleared and walked free from court.