A TEENAGER accused of raping a woman at an Oxfordshire house has been cleared of all charges.

Luke Perkins, of Park Lane, Carterton, had always denied both counts alleging illicit sexual activity with a woman - who has lifelong anonymity and cannot be named for legal reasons.

The 18-year old was cleared by a jury after more than seven hours of deliberations at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday.

He was acquitted of one count of rape and another of assault by penetration after a trial which began at the court last week.

Prosecutor Kim Preston had alleged during his trial that Mr Perkins had first performed a sex act on the woman before raping her.

Jurors at the start of proceedings were told that when quizzed about the allegation by police Mr Perkins had maintained his innocence and claimed that semen on the woman's clothing could have been 'planted' there by her.

Talking about a police interview with Mr Perkins the prosecutor said: "The defendant maintained his denial and said she could have got access to his semen and planted it on her clothing to get back at him, perhaps harbouring a grudge."