Internet date man cleared of rape

A man accused of the date rape of a woman has been found not guilty.

Paul Waites, 40, and a 64-year-old Nottingham woman chatted online and on the phone before the pair arranged to meet, Hull Crown Court was told.

They met in Bridlington in 2003 and the court heard the alleged offences took place in a guest house, while the woman's son was in a nearby room.

Mr Waites, from Hird Road, Low Moor, Bradford had denied rape and indecent assault charges.

'Sexy mum'

On Tuesday the jury took two hours to clear Mr Waites.

The court heard the mother-of-four, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been separated from her husband for 27 years.

Her son, concerned she would go through old age without a male companion, published her picture on the internet using the computer at the home they shared in Nottingham.

He advertised her as a lonely "sexy mum" and she soon received a reply from jobless Mr Waites, known online as Weed Boy.

Mr Waites met the woman, along with her son, on the seaside day trip in August 2003.

'Terrible ordeal'

The woman was "exhausted" from the journey, and the three of them checked into a guesthouse.

In court, Mr Waites said he did not have sex with her and just wanted a caring and loving relationship.

After the hearing, Mr Waites said: "It should never have come to court. I am happy. It has been a lot of stress and I am glad it is all over.

"It has been a terrible ordeal. This has gone on for 18 months. I has been nerve-racking but I have always said I was innocent.

"My family has supported me well. I just want to get back home now."