A JURY failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a man accused of raping a “drunk and vulnerable” woman in an Oxford youth hostel.

Zilvinas Ruzgas, of Odessa Road, London, was accused of committing two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape in December 2013.

During his trial prosecutor Matthew Walsh said that at the time the 40-year-old was staying in the YHA Oxford youth hostel in Botley Road, Oxford, with three friends.

A jury at Oxford Crown Court heard the complainant was drinking with friends at the Thirst nightclub in Park End Street when they became separated.

Mr Walsh said she was then “picked up” by Ruzgas, who allegedly took her to the hostel at about 4am and raped her.

But he was found not guilty of the attempted rape and yesterday, after more than a day of deliberating, the jury’s members could not reach agreement on the other two counts.

Judge Patrick Eccles told them: “In these circumstances, unfortunate though it may be, I think I will have to discharge you as a jury from returning any verdicts on these two remaining counts.”

He asked Mr Walsh if the prosecution had decided to hold a retrial.

The prosecutor told him the proceedings had been very difficult for the complainant, but added: “If she supports it, there will be a retrial.”

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Judge Eccles said the Crown Prosecution Service could have until February 23 to make their decision and added to the jury: “These cases are often not easy for juries in circumstances of this nature.”

Ruzgas was released on bail pending a CPS decision.