Jury discharged in imam rape case

The jury in the trial of an imam accused of raping a 13-year-old girl at a mosque in Bristol were discharged on Monday after new evidence emerged.

Manzoor Hussain, 42, of Ashley Street, St Paul's, was charged with nine counts of indecent assault and one charge of rape between July 1996 and March 1997.

Judge Paul Darlow discharged the jury at Bristol Crown Court after new evidence from defence witnesses.

The defendant should have the chance to respond to new information, he said.

The prosecution were given until 6 September to consider grounds for a re-trial.

The judge said if the case was heard again it would be at Exeter Crown Court to avoid the possibility of prejudice

The court had heard how the alleged victim, now in her 20s, attended the mosque for religious instruction and education by the imam.

The imam had said he was not working there at the time of the alleged attack.