Man cleared of raping young teenager he thought was 19

A man has been cleared of raping an underage girl while giving her a lift home from Newcastle city centre.

Jahangir Ali had been accused of attacking the 15-year-old after she became separated from her friends and lost her mobile phone. He offered to give her a lift home and told police he believed she was 19 when sexual activity took place.

Mr Ali, 31, of Hutton Street, Coxlodge, Gosforth, denied rape and assault by penetration in May last year and was cleared by a jury of both offences. The jury heard Ali believed the girl was 19 and she consented to the sexual activity.

As he was released an innocent man, Judge Tim Gittins, at Newcastle Crown Court, told him: “Of course, this is not a court of morals and I don’t go behind the jury’s verdicts at all but you made a reckless decision that night on anybody’s view.

“That girl was only 15 and she needed protection, perhaps from herself. I’m sure you have learned your lesson. The consequences have been very grave for you as far as your family life is concerned.

“If you consider acting in the way you did on that night again and you face any similar allegations, there is the real possibility this matter, despite the not guilty verdicts, will be brought back and raised in court. You have had your warning.”

Jurors were told the complainant had been socialising and drinking with friends but later became separated from them and lost her phone. She ended up in Newcastle late at night and didn’t have enough money for a taxi home.

When interviewed by police, Mr Ali said he believed she was 19 and she had consented.