Councillor cleared of rape and sexual assault

Mike Rouse was found not guilty at Coventry Crown Court

A Worcestershire county councillor accused of raping a woman after his brother's funeral has been found not guilty.

Mike Rouse was on trial at Coventry Crown Court accused of raping and sexually assaulting the woman inside a house in February 2023.

Mr Rouse denied the charges and told the jury their encounter was consensual.

Following a trial, a jury found him not guilty of rape and sexual assault charges on Thursday.

Earlier, Mr Rouse's defence lawyer, Andy Western KC, told the jury "the evidence doesn't stack up" and there was "nothing to suggest he'd done anything criminal".

Mr Rouse, who represents Redditch South on Worcestershire County Council, was suspended from the Conservative party at his own request after he was charged and is currently an independent.