A NEWBRIDGE man has been cleared of hiding in an attic and climbing down to rape a woman as she slept.

Vivian Nightingale, 57, was accused of hiding in the woman's home before waiting for her to fall asleep.

Mr Nightingale denied claims he attacked the woman after she returned home in the early hours after an evening out with friends in Blackwood.

The victim had previously told Cardiff Crown Court that she was woken up at 1.15am by a hand grabbing her neck.

It was then claimed Nightingale pressed his head close to her face and said "I want sex and I'm going to have it."

She told the court: "I just froze. I was too scared to move. Then he started putting his hand down my pyjama bottoms.

"He wrapped one of his legs around my leg and moved his hand to try and put it down my top.

"I started to cry and managed to turn around and push him away. I leaned over to my lamp and flicked it on and saw he had no clothes on and was fully naked."

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, then rang her daughter for help after the alleged attack in March this year.

Gwent Police were called the next day and Mr Nightingale, of Victoria Terrace in Newbridge, Caerphilly, was arrested and charged with trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence and sexual assault.

But a jury unanimously found him not guilty of both charges.

Judge Patrick Curran QC told Mr Nightingale: "You are cleared of all outstanding charges and you are free to leave the court with your family and friends today."