Councillor cleared of rape says he will step down

Mike Rouse said he will step down at the next county council elections in May.

A Worcestershire county councillor who was cleared of rape and sexual assault has announced he will stand down at the next county council elections.

Mike Rouse denied the allegations, and a jury at Coventry Crown Court found him not guilty on both charges on Thursday.

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.

He said it had been a huge privilege to serve his electors and "the years I spent as Cabinet Member for Highways was among my proudest."

He said: "Throughout this nightmare, I've continued to serve my constituents to the best of my ability.

"The timing of the elections, combined with the legal challenges I faced, meant the Conservative Party had to move forward with selecting new candidates.

"I understand that necessity, even if it's bittersweet."

Mike Rouse was accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman inside a house in February 2023.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, he expressed gratitude to the legal system.

"I have always had great faith in the British justice system and that, having thoroughly reviewed all the evidence, the jury cleared me on both charges within a matter of hours."

He described the past year and a half as a nightmare, not just for him but his family too.

"The past eighteen months have been an unimaginable ordeal for my family, my friends, my colleagues and me.

Those closest to me have faced incredibly difficult situations, and I'll never take for granted the countless people who stood by my side through this painful journey."