A STUDENT cleared of rape after the case against him collapsed last night spoke of his 18 month ordeal – and vowed to campaign for anonymity for people accused of sexual offences.

Durham University undergraduate George Worrall was facing  two counts of rape and one of assault by penetration dating from December 2014, but just weeks before he was due to stand trial, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to proceed.

At a brief hearing at Teesside Crown Court, the CPS said following a review of the case, the prospect of a conviction appeared, “very unlikely”, due to, “inconsistencies of the victim’s account”.

As a result the Crown offered “no evidence” and a formal not guilty verdict was recorded.

Mr Worrall, who denied all three charges, had been suspended by the university pending the outcome of the case.

Last night the 22-year-old, from Cromer in Norfolk, told The Northern Echo about his plans to return to Durham to resume his engineering course in September, and his intention to campaign for anonymity for defendants accused of rape and other sexual offences.

Speaking via his legal representatives, Belmores Solicitors, of Norwich, Mr Worrall said: “After 18 months of facing these allegations, I have finally been cleared by the Crown Prosecution Service, indicating late one afternoon that they did not plan to proceed with the case.

“I do not feel anger for what has been done to me but instead end the case with a renewed sense of purpose and pride for the things I have achieved over the last 18 months, both personally and professionally in spite of the investigation.”

He added: “My experience is not an isolated one.

“There have been a number of high profile cases in the news recently where the defendants have been found not guilty and there are many young men, especially in higher education, who face similar situations across the country.

“These men go through life-changing ordeals and it is time the Government took action to provide adequate protection and grant anonymity to those accused until a court has made a decision as to guilt or innocence.

“When I return to Durham, in September, I will be setting up a group to provide support for young men in higher education who are facing allegations and lobbying for a change in legislation to ensure those accused are treated fairly and do not have their futures jeopardised once they are cleared.”

Mr Worrall’s experience follows a number of recent high-profile cases, including that of Sir Cliff Richard.

The CPS announced last month that it would not be charging the singer, two years after a widely reported raid at his home in Berkshire as part of an investigation into historic sexual abuse allegations.

Sir Cliff said he felt he had been “tarnished” and joined veteran broadcaster Paul Gambaccini and Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, who have also endured similar situations, only to be cleared of any wrong-doing, in seeking the return of the right to anonymity to be extended to accused in sex cases.

Since the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976, people who allege they are victims of rape have been automatically entitled to lifelong anonymity once their complaint has been made.

This has since been extended to other sexual offences.

Under the 1976 act defendants in rape cases were also granted anonymity, but this was repealed by the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

Mr Worrall thanked his father, John, girlfriend Charlie, and his, “nucleus of friends” for their support and assistance in travelling to and from court dates and legal appointments, during the whole process, and also spoke of his gratitude to his barrister, Andrew Nuttall, and solicitor Simon Nicholls for their expertise and support.

He added: “Although I have been forced to miss a year of study and a season of Rugby League, I have received overwhelming support from my friends, family and employer.”

Similar calls for anonymity for those accused in such cases were voiced by another Durham University student, Louis Richardson, from Jersey, after he was cleared of rape and indecent assault after a trial at the city’s crown court, in January last year.