York: Mark Simpson acquitted of raping two women

Mark Simpson has now appeared in court twice in six months after two women made allegations against him.

In March, a jury at York Crown Court found him not guilty of raping and strangling a woman.

However, they were unable to reach a verdict on the charge of raping a second woman while she was on bail accused of raping the first woman.

They heard that Mr Simpson and the second woman were having sex in a bed next to their sleeping boyfriend.

She claimed it was non-consensual and Mr Simpson was told to sleep in another room.

He denied that he was told to sleep in another room and said it was consensual.

Mr Simpson, 34, formerly of Huntington Road, York, denied all allegations.

A second jury was sworn in at York Crown Court this week to re-indict him over the rape of the second woman.

After spending five hours in retirement at the end of a three-day trial, they returned a not guilty verdict.

Mr Simpson was released from the dock.