A NEWPORT man who was acquitted of four sexual offences, including one of rape, told the Argus he had been through a “year of hell” in clearing his name.

Graham Greatley, 27, of Oliphant Circle, was found not guilty of one count of rapeand three alleged offences of sexual assault.

A jury reached their verdict yesterday afternoon at Cardiff Crown Court.

Mr Greatley raised a clenched fist in celebration to the public gallery when he was told he would face no further action.

Originally from Sutton, he had maintained that while he and the woman accuser had been drinking alcohol in a Newport sitting room on one night at about 11.30pm, it was she who made the first move.

He also said he and the woman had only exchanged about 20 words to each other that night, until she left the house after they had had sex.

And Mr Greatley maintained the woman was “very happy and calm” on leaving.

During the trial, Robin Shellard, defending, said Mr Greatley was an “essentially shy man who is accused of rape”. “He is a good, good man,” it was added.