A 40-year-old Worcester man accused of multiple rapes and sexual offences, has been cleared by a jury after a four-day trial.

Gareth Beard, of Chedworth Drive, Warndon Villages, had consistently denied the allegations and he was found not guilty at Worcester Crown Court.

The jury took less than three hours to clear Beard on seven counts of rape and one of indecent assault.

Prosecutor Simon Phillips alleged that the offences took place between July 2003 and October 2008 in a chicken shed in Pinvin and in a house in Droitwich.

Adam Western, defending, said the woman who made the complaints had been lying or had twisted the evidence.

In his summing up, Judge John Cavell said there was little supporting evidence for the testimony.