Ben Freeman cleared of rape

Emmerdale actor Ben Freeman has been cleared of rape in Barbados.

The 28-year-old had been accused of forcing himself onto a 16-year-old girl at an exclusive resort in the country in December 2006.

A 'not guilty' verdict was delivered after 90 minutes of deliberation at the High Court in Bridgetown.

"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," said the actor outside court.

Freeman was axed from the ITV1 soap earlier this year due to the uncertainty of his future availability.