Ex-Emmerdale actor cleared of rape

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Freeman, who played mechanic Scott Windsor in the popular ITV1 soap, was accused of raping the girl after they met at an exclusive holiday resort on the Caribbean island on November 29, 2006.

The 28-year-old actor admitted he knew the girl, who is from Cheshire, was 16 at the time but said she never resisted his advances as he denied the charge at the High Court in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The jury took 90 minutes to reach a unanimous not guilty verdict and clear the star of allegations which have damaged his reputation over the last two years.

Standing in the dock, Freeman bowed his head slightly as the verdict was returned.

But in the public gallery, some of his friends and family shouted "yes" while others started crying as the verdict was read out.

His sister Laura, girlfriend Sophie Ladds, and godmother Susie Duguid followed him out of the court in tears.

The girl, who will remain anonymous, broke down in tears once the actor had left the court.

Outside with his friends and family, including his father Paul, the star said: "I'm grateful to be vindicated by the jury's verdict and am looking forward to spending time with my family and close friends who have been enormously supportive to me over the past two years."