A SCHOOLBOY has been cleared of rape after hundreds of social media messages proved his innocence — but were missed by bungling police and prosecutors.

The teen was expelled from his Leicestershire school after his arrest in 2016 when he was aged just 15.

2 A boy was arrested at 15 and accused of rape - but Facebook messages missed by police and prosecutors proved his innocence Credit: Getty - Contributor

He was charged on 14 counts including rape against two complainants, sexual assault and sexual activity with a child.

But more than 230 Facebook messages proved he had a consensual relationship with the girl of the same age.

The boy, now 17, was cleared yesterday after they were revealed by his legal team — prompting prosecutors to offer no evidence against him, The Times reported.

It is the latest in a series of rape cases that have collapsed after crucial evidence emerged at the last minute. The CPS is currently reviewing all rape cases — including more than 600 in London alone.

2 The case against the boy, now 17, collapsed at Leicestershire crown court yesterday Credit: PA:Press Association

Among the highest profile victims was 22-year-old student Liam Allan who was cleared of rape in December after police were ordered to hand over phone records that proved his innocence.

Yesterday's trial prompted the CPS to publicly blame the police for failing to tell them there were relevant social media records that could inform the case.

But prosecutors had been handed the 233 messages by the boy's defence lawyers in October last year — and still decided to carry on with the case.

Katya Saudek, for the defence, told Leicester crown court that she would write to the director of public prosecutions Alison Saunders calling for an investigation.

Pointing at police failings, a CPS spokesman said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continual review.

"In March 2017, as part of the charging decision, the CPS requested that police investigated social media interactions, but were informed that no messages existed.

"As a result of new material made available to the CPS in November 2017, further reviews of the case were undertaken.”

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A Leicestershire police spokesman said this morning: “Social media investigations were carried out but initially nothing was found that had a bearing on the case.

"However, when further information later came to light it was acted upon immediately.

"We are committed to reviewing the circumstances of this case .”

Liam Allan ​accepts apologies from the Metropolitan Police and the CPS after being ​wrongly accused of rape

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