Brightlingsea man, 25, cleared of rape and sexual assault

Samuel Clifton faced the accusations during a six-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, with a jury returning their verdict on Tuesday after deliberating for nine hours and five minutes.

The jury were told of an incident in 2017 when Clifton, then 18, was having intercourse with a woman.

The woman claimed she said ‘stop’ whilst the intercourse was taking place, but Clifton denied the word was ever said.

Trial - jurors retired on Monday and returned a unanimous verdict on Tuesday (Image: Pexels)

During the evidence, the court heard how Clifton had gone to Ann Summers with the woman in Colchester to buy a sex toy, which they then used before having intercourse in late 2017.

Steven Dyble, defending, said the subsequent intercourse was consensual from start to finish.

He said: “There was foreplay and both undressed and were naked prior to the event starting – this clearly demonstrated that whatever misgivings she may have had, she was consenting to what was going to happen thereafter.

“Everything that had been done had been done with a view to making it as painless as possible.”

Clifton, of Lodge Road, Brightlingsea, was immediately released from the dock following his acquittal and showed no emotion when the 'not guilty' verdict was read out.

Her Honour Judge Loram told the jury: “These are difficult cases to try – I know they are.

“But I hope that, despite the nature of the case and the different issues you had to consider, you have found some interest in seeing how it works for real, because I suspect it may well be that unless you have sat on a jury before, your main experience of this is watching it on TV.

Thanked - Her Honour Judge Loram told the jury that their work was 'the most important public duty you may ever carry out' (Image: Newsquest)

“I am forbidden from watching those at home because it involves shouting, but this is not TV – it’s other people’s lives.

“Whatever people think of the jury system, I can’t think of a better way of 12 people from all of walks of life deciding on the guilt or innocence of a fellow citizen.

“This is the most important public duty you may ever carry out.

“You leave the court very much with our thanks for the service you have given.”