Schoolboy cleared of raping classmate in high school toilet

A jury at the High Court in Livingston took just 45 minutes today to return a majority verdict of not guilty.

The 15-year-old youth was told by Judge Lord Jones that he had been acquitted and was free to leave the dock.

He said: “By the decision of the jury you are discharged from this assize and you’re free to go.”

The youngster had denied raping the girl twice during the school lunch hour in February 2011 when they were both aged 13.

He had lodged a special defence of consent and said in evidence that the girl had been a willing partner.

Neither the pupils nor the Edinburgh high school where they were in second year can be named for legal reasons.