Man cleared of rape (From Stroud News and Journal)

Man cleared of rape

A 19-year-old Nailsworth youth who has suffered an ordeal of violence and vandalism since being accused of rape was cleared of the charge on Monday after the prosecution dropped the case at Gloucester crown court.

At an earlier hearing Thomas Forster of Barnfield Ave, Forest Green, Nailsworth, had denied raping a 14-year-old girl and had been remanded on bail awaiting trial.

But on Monday he walked from Gloucester crown court with his reputation intact after prosecution counsel Michael Longman announced he was no longer proceeding with the charge.

He offered no evidence and Judge Gabriel Hutton formally found Mr Forster not guilty of rape.

At one of the previous hearings Mr Forster's barrister, Lynn Matthews, had lashed out at 'less intelligent members of society' who had victimised him since reading of the charge.

She said at that time "He has been assaulted by less intelligent members of society and his car has been vandalised simply because of the nature of the alleged offence".