Man, 38, not guilty of rape and assault (From Warrington Guardian)

Man, 38, not guilty of rape and assault

A SANKEY man has been found not guilty of rape and seven other charges at Warrington Crown Court.

Damien McShane was completely cleared of all the allegations by the jury of six men and six women.

The 38-year-old from Clevelys Road faced a rape charge, three counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child and two counts of a cruelty to a child.

He was accused of committing offences against a boy, a girl and a woman.

He had no previous convictions and his defence, Simon Berkson, argued he was the victim of a 'set-up'.

He said a previous legal dispute may have played a part in the allegations.

"He doesn't know for sure why the prosecution's witnesses are lying, but he says they are," said Mr Berkson in his closing speech.

"There weren't long pauses as there were when the prosecution witnesses were caught out.

"The defendant works in a caring profession and he clearly has the support of his family."