A WOMAN who went to court to give evidence in a trial on an alleged attack on her is urging others in similar situations to come forward, despite the acquittal of the accused men in her case.

The Andover resident, who has asked not to be named, went through a week-long trial at Winchester Crown Court, ending on Friday, July 6, where she gave evidence on the alleged incident.

The prosecution claimed that the 28-year-old was assaulted by three Tidworth-based soldiers after a night out in Andover on March 4, 2017.

But the jury found Joshua Miller, 21; Jonathan Harford, 29; and Damon Liptrot, 22, not guilty of affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, deeming a lack of evidence.

Despite the verdict, the woman is urging those who are worried about going to the police and then to court after suffering abuse to come forward.

During evidence, the prosecution and the defence allowed the alleged victim to stand behind a screen to protect her identity.

Speaking to the Advertiser after the case, she said: “It was nerve-racking leading up to the case and it was very hard giving evidence, but I had a screen which meant they didn’t see me and I didn’t see them.”

The woman says that after the claimed attack she had to be put on anxiety medication.

“It was all a very long time ago, and it was heartbreaking when I found out I would be going to court - it has opened up old wounds and I am finding it very hard to move on.”

But she says that despite the pain she has felt it would not stop her from going to the police again and reporting any incident.

She added: “I was very distraught about the verdict, but the police have done fantastic work, they have been amazing, but the jury just felt there wasn’t enough for a conviction.

“There are quite a lot of people who have been in [assault] situations and I wanted to raise awareness to help others.”