of rape but it has taken up to this point today for him to be declared not guilty here at guildford crown courthere at guildford crown court. the judge asked the prosecution to explain the reasons why there had been, in the words of thejudge, so why there had been, in the words of the judge, so many why there had been, in the words of thejudge, so many unnecessary delays in this case. the prosecution said it had been a finely balanced case but new material had emerged. what that material was we are not exactly sure, something to do with a diary that has been obtained quite late on, there is some sensitive material relating to the alleged victim, and also some investigations around digital devices, but this is the fourth time now in four weeks that a rape prosecution has been halted nearly at the 11th hour and there certainly is an investigation going on, a wider investigation, into issues of disclosure, the requirement on the crown to disclose evidence, the defence, and there will also now be urgent questions asked about this case. the judge has demanded answers within 28 days from the crown pr

danny shaw is at guildford crown court. people might remember this case.this case involved 0liver mears, who was 17 when he was arrested injuly 2015 on suspicion of rape. it took almost two years for police to com plete almost two years for police to complete the investigation and for charges to be brought. that was last june. it has taken another seven months for the cps to reverse its decision and to declare that there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction, and today at guildford crown court 0liver mears was formally declared not guilty by the judge. thejudge was pretty formally declared not guilty by the judge. the judge was pretty cross, formally declared not guilty by the judge. thejudge was pretty cross, i think, that this case had taken so long to get to this position. he said there had been unnecessary delays, and he's ordered the cps to provide a full explanation within 28 days. beyond that, does this have wider implications? at the time, people might remember there was a lot of comment about cases, people who had been arrested and left

danny shaw is at guildford crown court for us. tell us more about what has happened there in court.t the last minute, because key evidence has emerged which has undermined the prosecution's case, this particular case concerned oliver mere, a 19—year—old student at oxford university studying chemistry. he has been investigate bed i police for two—and—a—half year, he has been on police bailfor much of for two—and—a—half year, he has been on police bail for much of that time. he was charged with an offence of rape and indecent assault injune last year, the trial was due start on monday, but today, the prosecution decided to offer no evidence against mr mere, he was formally cleared by the judge, who wa nted formally cleared by the judge, who wanted to know why it has taken the prosecution so long to get to this point. he said the delays had been unnecessary, and had left mr mears and the alleged victim with this case hanging over their heads for too long, the prosecution explained that material had come about quite late on, there had been a diary, digital evidence had been looked at by