Radio 4 presenter Nigel Wrench cleared of gay date-rape after saying it was just 'boisterous horseplay'

An Old Bailey jury was earlier ordered to return not guilty verdicts on two other charges against Nigel Wrench, 47.

Judge Michael Shorrock said there was insufficient evidence to convict him of sexual assault or of administering temazepam with the intention of overpowering the man to have sex with him.

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A free man: Nigel Wrench (left) leaves court with a friend today

Mr Wrench, who presents the PM programme, sighed with relief as the jury returned its verdict on the charge of oral rape.

During the trial, Wrench admitted snorting cocaine with the accuser, before they returned to the presenter's home, where he showed off his art collection.

The alleged victim claimed he passed out after drinking from a glass of champagne poured for him by Wrench.

He claimed he awoke to find Wrench punching him on the head before forcing him to perform a sex act.

Wrench insisted the pair had consensual sex and had engaged in "boisterous horseplay".

Wrench told the court he had never made a secret about being gay and had presented a lesbian and gay radio programme, Out This Week, on Radio Five Live.

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A great relief: Nigel Wrench (left) gets a hug after leaving court

He said he was also open, and had spoken on the radio and written articles, about the fact that he was HIV positive.

Wrench said he told his alleged victim about his HIV status on the night of the alleged attack. The court has been told the man also has HIV.

Sarah Forshaw, defending Wrench, told jurors they may have found some of what they heard "thoroughly unpleasant" and "deeply unattractive" but urged them to put aside any feelings of "repugnance" about the case.

Mr Wrench, of Haringey, north London, was formally cleared earlier in the trial of two other charges of sexual assault and of administering Temazepam with the intention of "stupefying or overpowering" the man to have sex.

Judge Michael Shorrock ruled there was insufficient evidence for convictions.