Man found not guilty of raping woman in Hartlepool alley

Paul Rowntree, 25, was accused of having sex with the woman, who cannot be identified, against her will in an alley behind Carlton Bingo at 3am on a night out around a year ago.

But on Friday, November 20, a jury of 11 people unanimously found him not guilty after a trial at Teesside Crown Court lasting five days.

The verdict was delivered on Friday afternoon as the jury reached its decision in around three hours.

The woman claimed to the police and the court that Mr Rowntree had had sex with her after the two kissed despite repeated pleas by her for him to stop.

But Mr Rowntree maintained the sex was consensual and he did not reasonably believe she did not consent.

She said she was drunk but was still able to make decisions.

Giving evidence in the witness box on Thursday he said: “I would never rape a woman. I’d never do it.”

Mr Rowntree said the sex was a natural progression after the two had been kissing passionately while out socialising after meeting earlier that night.

He said they went into the alley as they were unable to go back to either’s own home and he asked if he could have sex with her and she agreed.

Mr Rowntree, of no fixed address, told the jury that once there the woman moved her body into positions so he could have sex with her.

He denied she said ‘no’ or shouted for him to stop but said she made sounds of pleasure.

Addressing the jury before they considered their verdict Judge Howard Crowson said: “The prosecution must make you sure of guilt.

"If you are anything less than sure you will say not guilty.”

He also urged the panel to consider the case without emotion.

Judge Crowson added: “There is no such thing as a typical reaction to rape. Some cry out, some never say a word.

"Also there is no typical reaction of a person accused of rape.

"You should not try this based on preconceptions.”

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