Coldstream Guard Lance Sergeant accused of raping another male soldier in barracks found not guilty

A COLDSTREAM Guardsman accused of the male rape of a gay soldier at barracks near Windsor Castle has walked free from court after a jury found him not guilty.

Lance Sergeant Christopher Blythe had been on trial accused of raping the 26-year-old man at the bedroom at the Victoria Barracks in Royal Windsor, Berkshire last summer.

The jury of five women and seven men, sitting at Reading Crown Court, spent seven hours and 25 minutes deliberating before returning a not guilty verdict.

The court heard how both men had been drinking together before returning to the prestigious Victoria Barracks in Windsor, Berks.

The Lance Sergeant alleged victim – who cannot be named for legal reasons – admitted to police that he had drunk five pints of lager, two Pimms, six Captain Morgan rum and cokes and four Jagerbombs.

Blythe drank vodka and Red Bulls during the same session.

A jury heard the pair exchanged texts and Snapchat messages, including selfies, before visiting four bars in Windsor with female friends.

The prosecutor told the jury that Blythe said: "How's you this morning? I'm clipped. I immediately regret going out last night."

David Osborne, defending Blythe, said: “I suggest that you woke up to find Mr Blythe sitting on the end of your bed.

"I suggest he was clothed rather than naked."

The jury was told later that after the rape victim "came out" to Army colleagues that he was gay, he received a stream of love letters and was warned to lock his door at the barracks.

Blythe, who is engaged to be married and is not gay, said he was shocked by the allegations and at no point during his eight-year friendship with the complainant had he expressed a sexual interest in him.

Following his arrest he told police: "I was pretty shocked to say the least this morning when he told me.”

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