An islander has been cleared intending to rape a woman.
A jury returned an unanimous verdict of not guilty following a trial at Stornoway Sheriff Court.
Kevin Booth of 106 Plasterfield, by Stornoway, denied holding a knife against a woman and intending to rape her in a house in November last year.
Lawyer John McLeod suggested the woman who said she was attacked and a male accomplice made up a story after they assaulted the accused in November 2014.
He queried why she never reported the alleged intent to rape incident to police until they came to see her about injuries to Booth.
The woman accepted she lied when claiming not to have sent texts to Booth.
She said during the alleged incident Booth closed the kitchen door and was pressing
against her face-
However, the male witness stated the door was wide open and insisted the Booth was facing her back.
He accepted he did not mention the knife on two occasions when giving a police statement after the incident.
In the same court, the woman and man later pleaded guilty to contempt of court after they failed to turn up for the start of the trial.
Police were requested to look for them on Monday.
Sheriff James Scott issued warrants for their arrest.
Police located them later and they were taken into custody.
.
Islander cleared of intent to rape allegation
13 November 2015