An entertainer accused of raping a teenager was cleared of the charge yesterday.

Tony Kelly, 37, was accused of raping the girl, who is under 16, at the seafront in Seaburn, near Sunderland, on February 28, this year.

After a not guilty plea was entered by Mr Kelly yesterday, the prosecution formally offered no evidence against him and Judge David Hodson, at Newcastle Crown Court, entered a verdict of not guilty.