‘Playboy butcher’ cleared of raping global superstar’s niece says he hopes she can ‘move on with her life’
Matthew Thomas cleared of all counts after claims he used date rape drug Rohypnol on woman before assaulting her
A BUTCHER cleared of raping a global megastar’s niece has said he hopes she will be able to move on with her life after he was found not guilty.
Organic butcher Matthew Thomas was cleared of three counts of rape at Lewes Crown Court earlier today, following allegations he had raped the woman, who cannot be named, in her flat while her son slept in the next room in 2008.
During the trial, the global superstar’s niece said Thomas had spiked a glass of wine with date rape drug Rohypnol before assaulting her.
Thomas maintained the pair had had consensual sex after months of flirting in the butcher’s shop he used to run in East Sussex.
Giving evidence in court, Thomas said: “She phoned the shop that day after her visit and she asked me what I was doing that evening and said do you fancy coming round to my house to eat the food.
“I said what about your husband, she said he was away, but her son would be there.
“When I left the bathroom she was in the bedroom completely naked.
“She beckoned me into the bedroom and we had full sex on the bed.
“She was leading everything.”
During the trial, four of Thomas’ ex-girlfriends gave evidence to his defence, saying he was very anti-drugs as his brother Philip had died of an overdose.
The jury took just an hour of deliberation to find him not guilty on all three charges.
Following the verdict, the divorced father-of-one was snapped hugging and kissing his family on the steps of Lewes Crown Court, where he said he wanted to get on with his life with the stress of the trial behind him.
He said: "I'm relieved it's all over.
“Since being arrested 21 months ago for a very serious offence, although I knew I was not guilty, mine and my family's life has been turned upside down.
"Despite my feelings towards the complainant more recently, for a number of months back in 2008, I enjoyed and valued my friendship with her.
"This matter is now concluded and I sincerely hope she is able to move on with her life.
"As I have said for nearly two years our lives have been on hold.
"I am sure you can imagine what a terribly stressful time my family and I have gone through.
"The case is now over and I would like to especially thank my mother and daughter for their support along with the rest of my family and all of my friends who never believed I was guilty of such an offence.
"I must also thank the jury for confirming my innocence."
Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.