A NIGHTCLUB doorman has spoken of his relief at being cleared of a rape charge.

Yasser Al Joumaa was yesterday acquitted by jurors of raping an 18-year-old woman at Plush Lounge in Park End Street.

The 37-year-old, also known as Dino, was hugged by supporters as he left the dock at Oxford Crown Court.

He said: “I am very relieved and I want to thank the English judicial system for having a fair trial.

“I especially want to thank my lawyers for defending me well, and I’m looking forward to moving on in life.”

The trial heard Mr Al Joumaa, of Riverside Road, Oxford, had received oral sex from the woman in the mixed-sex toilets at the nightclub on March 28.

The doorman, who was registered with industry body Security Industry Authority (SIA), maintained throughout the case that the woman had initiated the encounter and asked for his phone number afterwards.

Giving evidence last week he said he went into the toilets as part of his work duties and was approached by the woman.

He said: “She washed her hands and she was drying her hands. (She) looked at me and laughed, came near me and told me, ‘nice guy’, and started to kiss me straight away then pulled me from my arm (and) took me into the toilets.

“She sat on the seat, took my trousers down and underwear and (performed a sex act).”

Judge Anthony King ordered a not guilty verdict be returned on an alternative charge of sexual assault.