Joseph Eubank has been cleared of raping a teenage girl on Brighton beach.
Mr Eubank, 27, of Hove, East Sussex, was acquitted of two counts of rape of a 16-year-old girl by a jury after several hours of deliberation at Lewes Crown Court on Friday.
The court had heard how Mr Eubank approached the teenager standing near the seafront because he was attracted to her, and started a conversation, on July 16, 2022.
They went to a dark, secluded part of the beach and Mr Eubank told jurors during the trial that what took place was âall very fluent and very consensualâ.
The prosecution had said that the girl had been drinking vodka with friends celebrating a birthday and had never been drunk like that before and âcouldnât see straightâ.
But Mr Eubank, who said he had not drunk alcohol that night, said âshe looked completely soberâ during their chat near the beach.
After the acquittal, Judge Christine Laing KC told Mr Eubank: âYou need to reflect on what you did that night.
âIt was not decent behaviour in any way shape or form.â
Speaking to reporters outside court, his solicitor Shahid Choudhry said Mr Eubank was âhugely relievedâ to have been found unanimously not guilty by the jury after the allegation had been âhanging over himâ for some two and a half years.
Mr Choudhry added: âThis has been an extremely difficult time for him and his family.
âJosephâs life has been at a standstill since he was arrested and he can now move on to rebuild his future.
âJoseph would like to thank his family for his unwavering and unfailing support throughout.â
Sussex Police investigating officer Detective Constable Em Hayler said the force respects the decision of the jury and thanked everyone who assisted in the investigation and court proceedings.
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