A MAN accused of raping a woman as she left a telephone box on the way to visit her boyfriend has been cleared of the charge.

Robin Vernon, 36, was said to have attacked the woman, who cannot be named, earlier this year.

But at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday the charges were dropped because of a lack of evidence.

Robin Patton, prosecuting, told the court: "It would not be realistic, on the complainant's evidence, to satisfy a jury so they could be sure.

"She said she was in a telephone box and made arrangements to go and see her boyfriend moments before the rape occurred.

"Inquiries with British Telecom have shown that could not be true. She could not have made the call."

Judge David Hodson entered not guilty verdicts on charges of rape and indecent assault.

Mr Vernon, of Lawe Road, South Shields, admitted having an encounter with the woman but denied the charges.