A former Darlaston police officer was this afternoon cleared of raping a woman in her home after their first date.

Pc Gopal Dehar, known as George to colleagues, was found not guilty of rape after a two week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

The jury returned the unanimous verdict today after more than five hours of deliberation.

Ian Edwards, of the Police Federation, speaking on behalf of Dehar after the verdict, said: “Mr Dehar is pleased it is over.  It has been a long ordeal for him and he now just wants to get back to normality and return to work in due course.”

Dehar, aged 34, formerly of Franchise Street, Darlaston, but now living in Wellington Road, Bilston, always denied  rape and any suggestion he had any type of sexual relationship with the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He was suspended from his job at Darlaston police station, when the rape claim was made.