Magazine boss cleared of rape at private club

A luxury food magazine publisher has been cleared of spiking a woman’s drink and raping her during a champagne-fuelled party at an exclusive private members’ club.

Antioco Piras, 36, co-founder of Four, was accused of forcing himself on the woman after she became dizzy and unwell during the party at Home House in Marylebone, central London.

The Italian entrepreneur had told Southwark Crown Court that the 21-year-old invented the story after drinking too much. He said spiking a drink was a “disgusting and despicable act” he would never be capable of.

Piras, who denied one count of rape, was cleared by a jury yesterday.