A Bury St Edmunds man accused of rape has been cleared by a jury.

Before Ipswich Crown Court was Steven Hackman, 31, of Bright Close, Bury St Edmunds who denied a single rape charge dating back to 2010.

He was cleared after a trial which started earlier this week.

Giving evidence during the trial the alleged victim denied a suggestion from Hackman’s barrister, Joanne Eley, that she had made up the rape allegation.

David Wilson, prosecuting, alleged Hackman forced the woman to have sex against her will. He claimed that some time after the alleged attack Hackman had allegedly admitted raping her in a text message.

The court heard that after the woman contacted the police last year officers recorded an interview with her in which she gave details about the alleged rape.

After his arrest Hackman answered no comment to questions put to him by police officers about the rape allegation.