Lee Weekes, 41, from Bury St. Edmunds acquitted of rape charge

Lee Weekes, of Risbygate Street, Bury St. Edmunds, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Friday and denied raping the woman in 2020.

He was unanimously acquitted by a jury after a trial.

The court was told that the woman suffered bruises on her neck and back following the alleged rape.

Weekes, who was drunk, allegedly grabbed the woman by her hair and had sex with her despite her protests.

Prosecutor David Matthew claimed Weekes was “very rough” and hurt the woman, who told him “no” and “stop.”

After the alleged rape, the woman had a bruise on her neck from a hickey, as well as bruises on her back and shoulders, Matthew said.

Mr Matthew told the jury it was “a disgrace and an embarrassment” to the criminal justice system that the case had taken more than three years to come to court, saying the Covid pandemic was partly to blame for the delay.

He said Weekes told police after his arrest that he had consensual sex with the woman and explained the bruising on her body by saying she bruises easily.