A FORMER council chief accused of a string of sex offences spoke last night of his relief at having his name cleared in court.
Richard Dunn, 53, from Hunton, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, was found not guilty of rape and assault charges after a Teesside Crown Court judge called a halt to his trial.
Judge George Moorhouse said there were problems with the prosecution case and directed that Mr Dunn be formally acquitted.
Mr Dunn, the ex-deputy leader of Richmondshire District Council, said afterwards that he was glad the case was finally over.
He thanked his friends and family for their support since his arrest, and said he felt “badly let down” by the police investigation.
A little over a week into the trial, Judge Moorhouse directed the jury to find him not guilty of all the charges.
The move came after his accuser, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was crossexamined over a number of days.
Mr Dunn had denied 15 counts of rape, three of indecent assault, two of indecency with a child and a further charge of sexual assault.
He said last night: “I am just glad it is all over, and I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me.”
The former independent councillor’s criticism of North Yorkshire Police was responded to in a statement from the force.
It said: “All reports of sexual assault are taken seriously and fully investigated.
“While we are unable to go into detail about why the case has been stopped, North Yorkshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service believe that it was right to pursue this case through the courts.”
Mr Dunn was arrested and quizzed after a healthcare worker witnessed lacerations and bruises to the complainant’s body and alerted police.
He described the accusations against him as “shocking”
and “horrifying”, but could provide no answers as to why they had been made.
Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Barbara Petchey said: “This was a sensitive case involving very serious allegations.
“After careful consideration, we were satisfied that there was sufficient evidence to prosecute and that it was in the public interest to do so.
“However, as the case proceeded, the judge expressed his concerns at to whether it was appropriate for the trial to continue.
“He was troubled by inconsistencies in the evidence. Additionally, given the age of some of the allegations, material which might have assisted the defence was no longer available to them.
“The CPS has a duty to keep all our cases under constant review. In light of the judge’s comments, we reviewed the case, took all factors into consideration and decided to stop the case. We do, however, remain satisfied that the case was properly brought.”
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