Child rape accused cleared as alleged victim had touched him on invitation, appeal told

The trial judge in the appeal referenced UK case law in sexual assault cases when making the ruling

The State has appealed the acquittal of the 34-year-old man, who was found not guilty of the rape and sexual assault of the young girl after the trial judge referenced UK case law in sexual assault cases. File picture

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A jury was directed to find a man accused of the rape and abuse of a young girl when he was a teenager not guilty on the basis that there could be no assault as she had touched him on his invitation, the State has told the Court of Appeal.