Man cleared of rape and indecent assault charges

A FORMER Huntingdonshire man has been cleared of raping and indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Peter Rainey, who now lives in Grand Parade, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was accused of indecently assaulting the girl in the 1980s. During a trial Mr Rainey, f

A FORMER Huntingdonshire man has been cleared of raping and indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

Peter Rainey, who now lives in Grand Parade, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, was accused of indecently assaulting the girl in the 1980s.

During a trial Mr Rainey, formerly of Kent and Wyton, told Peterborough Crown Court: "It never happened because it is distasteful and completely wrong.

"It is a disgraceful and disgusting thing to do and I would never do it."

It was suggested that the girl, who is now a grown woman and who cannot be named for legal reasons, had made up the allegations as a result of her dealing with the divorce of her parents and a financial matter.

The woman told the court: "I kept quiet (about what was happening) but I felt sad when it was happening."

When asked by Mr Rainey's defence lawyer, Richard Barraclough, if the incidents had actually taken place, the woman said: "Yes it did and it was disgusting."

The woman made the allegations to police in July 2005.

* The trial took place in November but due to legal restrictions the result can only now be reported.