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Former University Challenge contestant cleared of raping woman Former University Challenge contestant cleared of raping woman
(11 days later)
Retrial finds Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere not guilty of raping student in her halls of residence
Press Association
Fri 22 Sep 2017 17.52 BST
Last modified on Fri 22 Sep 2017 18.25 BST
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A former student who appeared on the BBC TV quiz show University Challenge has been cleared of raping a woman in her halls of residence.A former student who appeared on the BBC TV quiz show University Challenge has been cleared of raping a woman in her halls of residence.
Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere, 22, was found not guilty of charges of rape and assault by penetration following a retrial at Bradford crown court.Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere, 22, was found not guilty of charges of rape and assault by penetration following a retrial at Bradford crown court.
He told the court the consensual sexual encounter with his fellow student in June 2014 was an embarrassment because he failed to perform.He told the court the consensual sexual encounter with his fellow student in June 2014 was an embarrassment because he failed to perform.
The woman, now 22, went to police after seeing Joly de Lotbiniere on the television programme a year later.The woman, now 22, went to police after seeing Joly de Lotbiniere on the television programme a year later.
During the five-day trial, the jury was told how the woman alleged the defendant had sex without her consent in her room at the University of York after a night out at the end of the academic year.During the five-day trial, the jury was told how the woman alleged the defendant had sex without her consent in her room at the University of York after a night out at the end of the academic year.
Joly de Lotbiniere denied raping the woman and told police “these are horrible, horrible lies”.Joly de Lotbiniere denied raping the woman and told police “these are horrible, horrible lies”.
He described to the court how he and the woman were part of a group that had gone out drinking in York and had returned to the woman’s hall of residence in the early hours of the morning when the pair started to kiss.He described to the court how he and the woman were part of a group that had gone out drinking in York and had returned to the woman’s hall of residence in the early hours of the morning when the pair started to kiss.
He said he went to fetch a condom and then went into her room. Joly de Lotbiniere described sexual activity between him and the woman, but said he struggled to get an erection and the pair made a mutual decision to stop what they were doing.He said he went to fetch a condom and then went into her room. Joly de Lotbiniere described sexual activity between him and the woman, but said he struggled to get an erection and the pair made a mutual decision to stop what they were doing.
Joly de Lotbiniere denied the woman had tried to push him off or had shown any signs she did not want to have sex.Joly de Lotbiniere denied the woman had tried to push him off or had shown any signs she did not want to have sex.
He said he later sent the woman a text saying he “did a very stupid thing” and was sorry because he was embarrassed about his failure to perform sexually.He said he later sent the woman a text saying he “did a very stupid thing” and was sorry because he was embarrassed about his failure to perform sexually.
The jury of seven women and five men took six hours to find Joly de Lotbiniere not guilty.The jury of seven women and five men took six hours to find Joly de Lotbiniere not guilty.
The former history student, who was educated at a comprehensive school and has appeared on University Challenge about six times, sobbed in the dock with a handkerchief pressed to his eyes as the verdicts were read out.The former history student, who was educated at a comprehensive school and has appeared on University Challenge about six times, sobbed in the dock with a handkerchief pressed to his eyes as the verdicts were read out.
He hugged his family in the public gallery before leaving the court room and declined to speak to reporters outside court.He hugged his family in the public gallery before leaving the court room and declined to speak to reporters outside court.
Joly de Lotbiniere, of Kensal Rise, London, faced a retrial after the jury at his original trial at York crown court in February were unable to reach verdicts.Joly de Lotbiniere, of Kensal Rise, London, faced a retrial after the jury at his original trial at York crown court in February were unable to reach verdicts.
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