A MAN 23-year-old man has been cleared of raping a 13-year-old schoolgirl.

Michael Stoiles, of Accrington Road, Burnley, was also found not guilty of sexual intercourse with a girl under 16.

The acquittals on the second day of a trial at Burnley Crown Court, came on the direction of Judge Ian Webster, after prosecutor Mark Lamberty offered no further evidence. Stoiles denied the allegations.

Stoiles, who had earlier pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge of indecent assault, was sent to prison for 12 months, but had already served that time on remand.

The rape trial jury had been told Stoiles pulled his alleged victim into a garden and had forcible sexual intercourse with her.

The girl, who should have been babysitting, was crying and upset when she arrived at the house in the early hours.

She made an allegation of rape later that day.

When arrested and interviewed, Stoiles denied any rape allegation.

He said he and the girl had agreed to sex.

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