A nine-member jury has returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty in a rape trial that concluded in the High Court today, bringing an end to proceedings that lasted several days.

The jury, comprised of eight women and one man, deliberated for just under two hours before acquitting the accused.

The matter stemmed from an incident in December 2022 in All Saints. The court heard that the then 19-year-old woman went to the accused man’s home around lunchtime and later entered his bedroom, where the two reportedly smoked a joint and had a drink.

According to the prosecution’s case, the encounter led to sexual intercourse, which the complainant alleged was non-consensual.

However, the accused, a taxi operator and carpenter, maintained throughout the trial that the sexual encounter was consensual.

During the proceedings, jurors were presented with WhatsApp messages exchanged between the two.

The court also heard evidence that after the sexual encounter, the man gave the young woman $200. She claimed the money was owed to her for a previous island tour involving tourists, while the defence suggested it was not connected to any wrongdoing.

Attorney-at-law Wendel Alexander represented the accused man. The Crown was represented by Curtis Cornellious.

After hearing testimony and reviewing the evidence, the jury returned its unanimous decision, clearing the accused of the charge.