Newcastle Falcons welcome not-guilty verdict in winger's sex offences trial
Newcastle Falcons have welcomed the not-guilty verdict in the trial of Zach Kibirige.
A jury at Newcastle Crown Court cleared winger Zach Kibirige of all the charges he was facing today.
The 21-year-old England rugby union player, from Middlesbrough, had denied seven sexual offences against a woman he met on the dating app Tinder, saying their sexual encounter had been consensual.
The complainant, who cannot be identified, claimed Kibirige put his hands round her neck and she was too scared to shout out for help.
Giving evidence from the witness box on Monday, the player denied throttling the woman.
Kibirige said that, after they had sex, he left as he had to get to sleep because he had training the next morning.
“I don't think she was best pleased,” he told the jury.
“She said 'Are you not going to stay and cuddle for a while and watch the end of the film?'”
Driving home, he received messages from the complainant saying what had happened was “not OK”.
Nicholas Lumley QC, defending, asked Kibirige: “Did you think for one moment you had done anything wrong?”
The 5ft 10in defendant replied: “Absolutely not.”
That night he received a message from one of the complainant's friends accusing him of rape.
He did not reply, explaining: “I couldn't see any good coming out of it.”
Mr Kibirige's girlfriend, Samantha Whatmore, whom he started dating after the rape allegation was made, gave evidence to say he was not aggressive and had never made her do anything she did not want to do.
A spokesperson for Newcastle Falcons said:
“The club have been aware of the allegations hanging over Zach since his initial arrest. This has been an extremely stressful time for Zach, and his hugely promising rugby career has effectively been put on hold during this very difficult period.
“The club are satisfied that their faith in Zach has been borne out by the verdict in his trial. Zach remains an important member of the club’s playing staff and is available for all rugby and non-rugby-related duties.
“Newcastle Falcons will be making no further comment on this matter.”