Taxi-driver acquitted on rape charge

Press, 28 March 1979, Page 4

Taxi-driver acquitted on rape charge

A woman who claimed; that she had been raped on; a Thursday went with the [ man to his home on the [ Sunday when he allegedly! raped her repeatedly for almost four hours, Mr Justice! Roper and a jury were told in the Supreme Court. After deliberating for two hours the jury found Virend Chand Lal. aged 30, a taxidriver, not guilty on a charge of raping a woman, aged 24. on November 19. There were seven women on the jury. His Honour discharged Lal. Mr C. B, Atkinson appeared for the Crown and Mr R. F. B. Perry for Lal. A married woman gave evidence that Lal had inter-

course with her against her will when she went to his home on a Thursday in November. On the following Sunday the woman said that Lal lured her txi his home on the pretext of getting her to select some •. clothes for his wife who was in the maternity home where she had had twins. After forcing her •into the bedroopt Lai had intercourse with her without her consent for thi;ee or four hours. When asked how many times intercourse had taken place the woman replied: “All the time.” In his final address to the jury Mr Perrv said that the

woman’s evidence was full of inconsistencies and was so unsatisfactory and unconvincing that the only possible verdict was one of not guilty. She claimed that she had been raped on . the Thursday but she never complained about it. After the jury returned its verdict his Honour said that he agreed with the decision. When his Honour told Lal that he could leave the dock accused walked over to Mr Perry and shook his hand. As he moved to the back of the court, Lal was joined by his wife who kissed him on the cheek. They left the court with their arms round one another.