Friends cleared of raping woman after night out

Two men have been cleared of raping a woman after she left a nightclub.

Robert Balcan, 22, and Adrian Madarasz, 25, were accused of attacking the woman in Bedford on 26 August 2024.

The pair, who lived together in nearby village Shortstown, both said the sex was consensual.

They were found not guilty of rape and kidnap after a trial at Huntingdon Crown Court.

The complainant had alleged she was attacked in the early hours after leaving Vogue nightclub.

She claimed the defendants raped her in a layby before she was "thrown" from the car.

Tests showed she had alcohol in her system equivalent to being twice the legal drink-drive limit, the trial heard.

Mr Balcan told the jury the woman and her friend "flagged" his BMW as he drove through Bedford.

Both he and Mr Madarasz had been in the town looking for a pub to drink in, Mr Balcan added.

They were found not guilty on both counts on Tuesday.

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