TWO men have been cleared of raping a Stroud teenager who claimed they subjected her to a sexual ordeal in the back of a car after she got drunk on vodka.

At Gloucester Crown Court yesterday, Thursday, a jury took just 45 minutes to acquit Daniel Young and Jordan Mills, who had each denied two charges of raping the 17-year-old girl.

Mr Young, aged 23, of St Michael's Square, Gloucester, and Mr Mills, aged 22, of Leeming Walk, Kingsway, both told the jury the girl was tipsy but not drunk when she suggested the threesome in a lay-by near Stonehouse.

They had driven her there after drinking at the Coaley Peak beauty spot near Dursley.

Mr Mills, who suffers from cystic fibrosis and is not expected to live beyond the age of 35, said 'thank you' as he was cleared.

Mr Young burst into tears as the not guilty verdicts were announced.

The prosecution had alleged the girl was so drunk that she was not able to consent to the sex.

It was alleged the defendants had treated her as a "piece of meat" before dropping her off at a bus stop 100 yards from her home on October 4 last year.

The court heard she had previously sent Mr Mills a Facebook message suggesting she was interested in having a threesome with them.

Judge William Hart said: "The night of October 4 is one none of those people will forget. What happened was obviously regrettable.

"It is a case which had to be tried and only that way could a full picture become clear.

"I have no personal doubt that the girl said with her lack of memory was genuine evidence and she believes what happened was not consensual.

"But overall the effect of the evidence before you brought you to your verdict.

"Jury service is a huge responsibility and I am very grateful to you."

During the evidence both the Gloucester men said the girl had high fived them after the threesome and told them 'well done'.

They said she had asked to be dropped off at the bus stop and not her home and got out of the car by herself while on her phone.

During his evidence Mr Mills, a trainee pharmacist technician at Sainsbury's, told the court: “We started off discussing sexual partners and how many each of us had had and she said she would like to have threesome with me and Dan.

"As I was driving she made some sexual advances.

"She continued to grab my steering wheel and said pull over to the lay-by.

"Nothing was said, but by her actions it was very clear what she wanted."

The court heard that the threesome came to an end because it was hot and cramped in the back of the Corsa.

"At that point she gave a high five to me, a high five to Dan, said well done and can we go somewhere to do it again?," said Mr Mills.