A MAN from Winchester has been cleared of a string of sexual attacks, during which it was alleged he strangled and stabbed his victim with a pen.

Peter Higgins, of Fromond Road, Weeke, was acquitted by a jury of two rapes, an attempted rape and an assault, by a majority of 10 to two.

The 56-year-old denied the charges which allegedly took place between January 2012 and October last year, but jurors were unable to reach a final verdict, after six hours and two minutes, on a charge of assault.

The Crown Prosecution Service was given seven days to decide if Higgins will be re-tried for the assault.

Judge Richard Parkes QC agreed an application from the CPS for a restraining order stopping Higgins from contacting the woman.

Higgins has been ordered not to communicate with her in any way.

Earlier in the trial, the Topps Tiles shop worker admitted to being “verbally aggressive” but denied any violence.

Prosecutor Simon Foster said neighbours had claimed they heard “blood-curdling screams” coming from Higgins’s home along with shouts of “let go”, “keep off” and “ouch”.

Higgins told the jury: “If I had grabbed her by the arm or pushed her against the sofa there would be some form of injuries but, as stated, there was nothing. I cannot tell you why she phoned the police, I’m not a mind reader. There were no signs of any injuries and the police have not reported any injuries so how have I assaulted her?”