Royal Agricultural University students cleared of ‘raping woman at annual ball’

Prosecutor says decision 'not to offer any evidence against the four' had been made

Gloucester Crown Court (Google Maps)

Four male students have been found not guilty of the alleged rape of a woman at an annual college ball in Gloucestershire.

Prosecutors at Gloucester Crown Court offered no evidence against the group of men on Monday. They had denied all charges made against them.

Thady Duff, 22, James Martin, 20, Leo Mahon, 22, and Patrick Foster, 22 were accused of sexually assaulting the woman at the Royal Agricultural University’s end-of-year ball in Cirencester May 2014.

Prosecutor Fiona Elder told the court the decision was made that there was “no longer a reasonable prospect” of conviction and that, therefore, in the circumstances, it was “not for the Crown” to pursue the case to trial.

Thady Duff (PA)

James Martin (PA)

She said: “The police were informed and discussed the decision with the head of the South West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences unit.

“The head of the South West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences unit consulted with the complainant and her family to ensure they knew and understood the decision whatever their view of it.

“The defence were informed on Friday evening of the decision not to continue the case and the Crown was offering no evidence in relation to this indictment.”

The four defendants made no comment as they left the court once the verdicts were read out.

The case had been due to begin a fortnight ago but was delayed because of issues surrounding the late disclosure of evidence to the defence by the prosecution.

Leo Mahon (PA)

Patrick Foster (PA)

Judge Jamie Tabor QC had told a jury of six men and six women on 29 March that part of the alleged sexual activity had been filmed and that they would watch it.

He had told the panel: “This is going to be what we call adult pornographic material - very short in length - to be watched.” He then went on to warn the 12 the material could be an “uncomfortable” watch and presented them with an option to opt out of the viewing.

A week later, though, the panel was discharged without having heard any evidence.

Mr Duff, from Wiltshire, denied three charges of rape, as well as a charge of sexual assault against the same woman which is alleged to have occurred between October 1 and 31 in 2013.

Mr Martin, from Oxfordshire, denied a single charge of rape, and Mr Mahon, from Gloucestershire, denied three charges of rape and two charges of assault by penetration.

Mr Foster, from Essex, denied one charge of rape and two charges of assault by penetration.

Additional reporting by Press Association