A Littlemore man was cleared of sexually assaulting a woman in his flat.

Abdul Banaras, 35, was accused of dragging the complainant into his apartment in Alice Smith Square, Oxford, on March 15 last year before subjecting her to a number of sexual assaults.

READ MORE: Man charged with attempted rape in Oxford

However, after a five-day trial at Reading Crown Court last week, Banaras, of Alice Smith Square, Oxford, was found not guilty on Friday of attempted rape and two charges of assault by penetration.

The case was sent to be tried from Oxford’s crown court to Reading, where Judge Maria Lamb heard the trial, as building works at the St Aldates courthouse have reduced the number of courtrooms from four to three.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward