THE son of a Rossendale Conservative councillor has been cleared of raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

John Eaton, 18, of Hoghton Avenue, Bacup, was found not guilty by a 10-2 majority verdict after a four-day trial at Burnley Crown Court.

After the case, his relieved father, Jimmy, who had been in the public gallery with his wife throughout the proceedings, declined to comment.

The 14-year-old had claimed that Eaton had raped her in the garage of a disused slipper works, even though she had repeatedly told him she didn't want sex.

Eaton, who had been in custody since the allegation was made last December, had wept as he gave evidence and told the court he didn't do it.

His barrister, Keith Harrison, had suggested the alleged victim, who said she had drunk a pint of spirits, was very drunk.

He said the girl had called Eaton to go into the garage, told him to kiss her and never once said 'no' to sex.

Mr Harrison claimed the girl had urged Eaton to 'keep going' and had done things that might have given Eaton the impression she was 'up for it.'

He suggested the schoolgirl had changed her mind in the middle of sex and that what went on was with her consent.

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