Manchester police officer cleared of rape allegation against 20-year-old student in her home
James Darnton was found not guilty of the allegation that occurred in 2009
Rebecca MurphyA Greater Manchester police officer has been cleared of raping a 20-year-old student in her home following a trial as Liverpool Crown Court this week.
The young woman was allegedly attacked by Greater Manchester police constable, James Andrew Darnton, after she reached out to the police for advice when her ex-boyfriend threatened to post naked photos of her online.
Darnton was found not guilty of the alleged assault in 2009 after being suspended from the police force since the allegations first came to light in 2021.
On Thursday 11th April 2024, he received a not guilty verdict by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court after the prosecution offered no further evidence following the completion of the complainant’s evidence, Manchester Evening News reports.
It was previously alleged that while working as a constable, he first met the young woman with a colleague after she requested police support when he ex-boyfriend threatened to put indecent images of her online.
Darnton, now 35, had returned to her home in Davyhulme, Urmston alone again in summer 2009, where he told the woman that “no one will listen” to the threats made by her ex-boyfriend as she was from a “broken home” and a “brown person”.
The student, who was 20 at the time, then claims that Darnton followed her into her utility room and kissed her, before raping her over her worktop.
The prosecution, Owen Edwards KC, told the court that when interviewing Darnton, he said he had no recollection because of the passage of time that had passed.
He does accept that records show he visited the young woman on two separate occasions.
The prosecutor said “he denies any such sexual contact” and that “he accepts that it would be profoundly wrong to have sexual intercourse with a young woman while investigating her complaint.”
Related articles recommended by the writer:
- ‘Insulting’ trigger warning in Uni of Manchester lecture around buying a round of drinks
- Manchester police received ‘training’ after dragging and standing on sleeping homeless man
- Manchester police officer accused of raping student in her home after she rang for help
Featured image via Google Maps
Isabella Watson-Howland
Manchester Police appeals for students to claim bizarre items stolen from Fallowfield houses
The stolen items include a lighter, an American plug and a broken camel magnet
Manchester students bought hot tub to stay warm after heating had been broken for weeks
One tenant was forced to temporarily move out of the property due to damp and mould
Mariel Havard Griffiths
Nominations are now OPEN for Manchester’s ultimate BNOC 2024
Short for stuff on your CV? This is for you
Student protest after Manchester Pro-Life Society held ‘grill the pro-lifer’ talk on campus
Lucas AnnisonThe CEO of the Alliance of Pro-life, Madeline Page, spoke to students at the university last week
The Manchester Tab wants you: Apply to be part of the 2024-2025 Editorial team
Applications close on Friday 26th April
Inquest opened into death of ‘very vulnerable’ Manchester student killed by convicted rapist
Tributes were made to Elizabeth McCann who was murdered by Simon Goold in August 2022
‘Terrified’ student watched as mouse ran around Manchester Metropolitan University library
Francesca EkeThe rodent was seen on the first floor of the All Saints Library on Saturday
New report exposes widening ethnicity and disability pay gap at University of Manchester
The number of BAME staff decreased in 2023 and disability pay gaps increased to 16.1 per cent and 10.3 per cent
Manchester police officer cleared of rape allegation against 20-year-old student in her home
James Darnton was found not guilty of the allegation that occurred in 2009
Mouse spotted running around inside University of Manchester library building
Footage shows the rodent scuttling around the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons
Manchester student suspended for occupation in protest of university links to Israel
Molly WilkinsonThe student’s suspension bans any presence on campus except for academic or welfare purposes
Manchester police officer accused of raping student in her home after she rang for help
The 20-year-old student had called police after her ex threatened to post naked photos of her online
University of Manchester bans applications from London students because their ‘vibes are off’
A leaked email sent to staff explained that the ban will come in place from September 2024
Manchester pro-life students were reportedly ‘spat on’ and told they ‘should be r*ped’
Society members were allegedly subjected to a ‘torrent of abuse’ at last week’s Stop Manchester Pro Life protest
Manchester police received ‘training’ after dragging and standing on sleeping homeless man
The officer’s behaviour has been branded as ‘dehumanising’ and ‘unacceptable’
‘Insulting’ trigger warning in Uni of Manchester lecture around buying a round of drinks
The sociology lecture included two warnings and links to helplines for students that found the topic distressing
‘I love the atmosphere’: Asking Manchester students what they love most about the city
Anil PaudelThe Manchester Tab spoke to undergrad and postgrad students about why they chose the 0161 for their studies
Fight broke out between students at protest against Uni of Manchester Pro-Life society
Students gathered outside the Students’ Union protesting against a Pro-Life society event held last night
‘It wasn’t scripted’: Here’s what the Challengers cast have said about THAT churros scene
Emily SmithHow does one make eating a churro so sexy
Woman believed to be real life Martha says she’s suing Netflix over Baby Reindeer
Hayley Soen‘I’m a highly competent lawyer’
This is the current relationship status of all of the MAFS Australia 2024 cast members
Ellie RingThere’s a lot to keep track of!
Collins is rebranding as a TikTok interviewer after MAFS Australia, and it’s absolute hell
Harrison BrocklehurstLaughing so much at the bad microphone quality
Ambika Mod to Grace Beverley: All the icons who made it onto The Times’ Young Power List
It picks inspiring people under 30 who are ‘changing the world’
There was a very serious reason Jack and Tori didn’t feature at MAFS reunion dinner party
Jack and another groom ‘lost it’ with one another and Channel Nine was forced to change the show
Richard reveals real reason why producers completely axed him and Andrea from MAFS reunion
They were filmed but their scenes were cut from the episode
‘The most edited episode’: A MAFS Australia cast member has blasted the reunion
‘Every other episode has been fairly accurate, but that was extremely out of context’
Sara slams MAFS Australia 2024 producers for being ‘sexist’ and depicting brides as ‘crazy’
‘They want to portray women as crazy and dramatic’
Everything Lauren’s said about Ellie and Jono’s relationship after the MAFS reunion
‘Me and him were forced to be together’
Jack and Tori have revealed what they plan to do next now MAFS Australia 2024 has finished
They’re in the pursuit of ‘fame’
Ellie is ‘traumatised’ due to ‘disturbing’ hate following MAFS reunion appearance with Jono
‘I’ve never seen her so upset’
Lauren reveals the shocking axed scenes between her, Jono and Ellie during the MAFS reunion
This changes everything
Baby Reindeer: Another couple claiming to have been stalked by Martha have spoken out
‘She did the same to me, made my life a nightmare. He has got her spot-on’
Tori hangs up mid-interview after being asked why Jack’s ‘friends’ on MAFS were all clients
She wasn’t having any of it
Omg, Love Island winners Sanam and Kai are finally engaged and I’m actually crying!
This is the best news ever
Obsessed with Art in Challengers? Here’s where else you can watch Mike Faist
Or you can just watch the Challengers churro scene on repeat, your choice
Jack and Tori created a ‘secret pact’ in case the MAFS Australia reunion turned ‘toxic’
And agreed to ‘walk out’ if things became ‘too toxic’
Inside the ‘toxic’ MAFS Australia 2024 boy’s club where grooms enabled ‘bad’ behaviour
Including one surprising friendship between two grooms
Petty reason why Jono didn’t tell Lauren he was with Ellie before MAFS Australia reunion
‘It was done out of pure vengeance’
What Ellie actually said in her bleeped insult to Lauren during MAFS Australia 2024 reunion
No wonder it was censored out!