HUDDERSFIELD police officer and former Mr Gay UK Mark Carter collapsed in tears as a jury cleared him of rape charges.
Pc Carter, 28, was on trial for three charges of sexual assault and two of rape following a Christmas night out in Leeds on December 18, 2009.
But he sobbed in the dock at Leeds Crown Court yesterday as the jury delivered a not guilty verdict on both rape charges and two of the three counts of sexual assault.
He had been accused of touching men in Leeds bars and of twice raping one man in the Etap Hotel in Leeds.
The jury began deliberating on Wednesday and yesterday, after five hours 42 minutes, they delivered four out of five verdicts.
Carter’s family and friends, who have been there since the trial began on Monday, June 6, wept and clapped in the packed public gallery as he was cleared of the rape charges – prompting a request from Judge Wolstenholme.
He said: “I appreciate emotions are running high but if there is any further demonstrations you will have to leave the court.”
At 2.10pm on Wednesday the jury first retired to consider their verdicts.
But it was not until 12.45pm yesterday that Carter was cleared of count two of sexual assault.
Following a break, the jury retired again at 2.10pm to further consider the other charges.
At 3.15pm the jury were called back in to court to deliver their remaining verdicts.
Carter stays on bail as the jury remained undecided on count one of sexual assault, and is due to return to court on Friday, June 24.
Judge Wolstenholme told the jury: “I would like to thank you for your service.
“It has at times been distressing and you have been faced with making some very formal decisions.”
He then ordered that the jury were discharged.
Prosecuting barrister Sarah Wright requested more time to consider whether there will be a retrial.
A decision on whether to proceed with a retrial on the charge will be made next week.
When he gave evidence in the trial, the officer described the “devastating” impact allegations of rape and sexual assault had on his life.
He admitted he had “stupidly” drunk too much on the night out but denied carrying out the assaults.
Describing the effect the allegations had on his life, he told the jury: “It had a devastating effect on me. It turned my whole life upside down. I embarked on an absolute living nightmare.”
Judge Wolstenholme told Pc Carter: “You have been acquitted of a very serious charge against you but you still remain on bail on count one.”
Pc Carter, of Station Lane, Birkenshaw, won the title of Mr Gay UK in 2006 and had worked as a 999 response officer in Huddersfield since December, 2004.
Following the allegations made after the night out in Leeds, Carter was suspended from West Yorkshire Police.
He denies the remaining charge of sexual assault.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said last night: “This was a sensitive enquiry which resulted in a thorough investigation following which the evidence was put before the court.
“The Force continues to expect the highest standards of behaviour from officers.”
