Detective freed after rape conviction overturned

Last updated at 16:21 29 July 2004


A detective jailed six years ago for raping and sexually abusing a former girlfriend spoke today of his relief after his conviction was quashed.

Detective Constable David Potter's nine-year sentence was overturned at London's High Court today.

Speaking after the hearing, he said: "I just want to thank everybody who has supported me today.

Today is a vindication of the faith they had in me.

"I now just want to get on with the rest of my life."

Mr Potter added: "I have got no comment on the law. My plans now are to go away and try to relax. I have had no sleep for a long time."

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court in December 1998 found the former detective guilty of rape, false imprisonment and three offences of indecent assault.

The divorced father of two, who had been in the police force for 15 years, denied all the charges.

Lord Justice Scott Baker, Mr Justice Richards and Dame Heather Steele quashed the conviction at the Court of Appeal today after hearing fresh evidence which showed the alleged victim's evidence was unreliable.

Describing his six-year jail term, he said: "Anyone can imagine it was very difficult."

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