A man accused of raping his wife while she convale
A man accused of raping his wife while she convalesced from
injuries suffered during childbirth was today Friday cleared
by an Old Bailey jury.
The 21-year-old man maintained his wife had fully consented
to sex.
The jury had heard that the rape allegation came as the
couple’s violent and stormy four-year relationship finally broke
up after their child was born in February this year.
On March 18, two days after she had started legal proceedings
to have her evicted from their Maidstone home, she claimed he
raped her in the bedroom.
But the defendant always maintained that his 23-year-old wife
had fully consented to sex.
Judge Richard Hawkins QC warned the jury of the dangers of
convicting on uncorroborated evidence.
He advised the jurors that unless they were certain of guilt,
they should acquit.
The jury deliberated for more than five hours before
returning a not guilty verdict to rape.
ENDS
