Husband is cleared

NOT guilty verdicts have been delivered by a jury in the trial of a Portishead man accused of sexually assaulting and raping his ex-wife.

The 54-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his former partner, was charged with one count of rape and four counts of sexual assault spanning a period of eight years between 2004 and 2012.

A trial began at Bristol Crown Court on October 20, when the jury was told by the accuser the man had sexually assaulted her in the shower and had also raped her.

However, on Thursday the jury hearing the case found the accused not guilty on all five counts.

During the trial, his defence solicitor, Patrick Mason, suggested the defendant’s ex-wife had made the claims to the police because they had argued over financial issues and also because she was worried he might try to jeopardise her claim of incapacity benefits.

This was because she had spotted him taking photos of her while she was walking her dog.

She had said he was controlling and carried on with his behaviour despite her saying ‘no’.