A SHOOT employee has been cleared of raping a young woman at the end of a three-day trial.
Underkeeper Thomas Atkinson, 27, told the jury at York Crown Court that the sex he had with the woman had been consensual by both of them.
The jury heard that the two and a friend of the young woman had spent the evening visiting pubs in Malton before going to a hotel when the woman and her friend had booked rooms for the night.
Both the young woman and Atkinson gave evidence. After hearing from them and other witnesses, the jury acquitted him of rape after three hours and 15 minutes in retirement.
Mr Atkinson who is an underkeeper for a shoot on the North York Moors, of Town End Close, Pickering, had denied the charges.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article