A MAN accused of raping a woman at her flat in front of his brother and two friends has been found not guilty by a jury.
Michael Hargrave, 23, of the YMCA, Ipswich, had denied one offence of vaginal rape and two of oral rape.
He was cleared of one of the charges of oral rape on the direction of Judge David Goodin on Wednesday and was cleared of the remaining two charges by a jury after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
After the jury’s not guilty verdicts Michael Hargrave was released from custody.
His brother Phillip, 21, of Wilberforce Street, Ipswich, has denied one offence of sexually assaulting the same woman and the jury will return to court today to continue deliberations.
It was alleged during the trial that the Hargrave brothers and two of their friends went to the woman’s flat on February 16.
During the evening the woman had consensual intercourse with Michael Hargrave and he had then allegedly invited his brother and the other two men into the bedroom.
When the woman said she didn’t want to have sex with the other men Michael Hargrave allegedly raped her while his brother allegedly sexually assaulted her. No sexual activity had happened with the other two men.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here