A British Army Officer who was charged with sexual offenses is now a free man.

Samisoni Tikoinasau was acquitted in absentia by the Suva High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe this morning.

Tikoinasau was charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

It was alleged that the British Army Officer raped a 25-year-old woman on two different occasions last year.

While delivering his judgment Justice Rajasinghe said the prosecution was unable to prove its case.

The court heard that the complainant met Tikoinasau at the Suva Bus stand on 7th August, 2016 from where they both went to the Peninsula Hotel.

The Judge said based on the evidence given to court it can be concluded that the complainant had several opportunities to walk out of the hotel however she did not.

The complainant had earlier said that she was ashamed to walk out of the hotel to which the Judge questioned why she was not ashamed to go inside the hotel.

During the trial, the court was also told that the complainant had no idea she was raped.

Justice Rajasinghe said that given the fact that the complainant is a sports personality who has traveled overseas for experience and exposure it’s hard to believe that she had no idea of being raped.

The Judge said that the complainant’s evidence was incomplete and could not be accepted.