A MAN accused of raping a 14-year-old girl has been cleared after two juries failed to reach verdicts.

Samir Hassan was said to have followed the youngster as she walked home through Gorse Hill five years ago before dragging her into an alleyway and raping her.

The 28-year-old, who denied the allegation, first stood trial before judge and jury at Swindon Crown Court in May.

Following a week-long trial a jury was unable to reach a verdict so the prosecution sought a retrial.

But a new jury was also deadlocked and, after consulting with the complainant, the Crown has decided not to seek a third trial.

Judge Charles Wade formally recorded a not guilty verdict, meaning it is the end of the matter for Hassan.

Hassan, who needed a Somali translator to follow proceedings, insisted the girl had consented to sex with him after they met in the street.

The girl, who is now 19, said she was walking along Cricklade Road towards the Avening Road junction on June 11, 2002, when she realised she was being followed. She said Hassan put his hand over her mouth, pulled her into an alleyway and raped her.

Hassan, who lived at Jim Masters Court, off Tiverton Road, at the time of the alleged offence, was arrested last year. When questioned by police he denied having sex with the girl but DNA evidence proved he had. Hassan, now of Wilder Street, Bristol, denied a charge of rape.

He said he had met the girl, who he thought was much older, and she led him to a park where they had sex.