Swimmer cleared of raping girl who had sex with friend

A TOP swimmer walked free yesterday after a jury failed to find him guilty of two rape charges.

Otto Putland, 23, was accused of getting into bed with the 19-year-old woman after she had consensual sex with his best friend Ieuan Lloyd after a night out.

The student said she slept with Mr Lloyd, a two-time Olympian who swam at London 2012 and Rio 2016, after bumping into him at a nightclub.

But she said he then ‘abandoned’ her and welcomed friend Putland , who had competed in the Commonwealth Games for Wales into his bedroom, before switching off the light and closing the door behind him. It was alleged Putland, of Dinedor, Hereford, forced her to have sex. He denied two charges.

A jury at Cardiff Crown Court cleared him of one charge and failed to reach a verdict on the second after more than four hours of deliberation.

A decision will be made later about a possible re-trial.