He told the jury she had later sent him a message saying she felt as if she had been "bucked and ditched".

Mr Kibirige held his head in his hands as the forewoman began returning the not guilty verdicts in a clear voice, looking at the defendant each time.

The jury retired at 12.45pm on Tuesday and had reached the seven unanimous verdicts by 1.55pm.

Family members wept in the public gallery then hugged in the corridor outside the court.

Judge Penny Moreland made no comment to Mr Kibirige except to say he could leave the dock.

Following the verdict, Mr Kibirige's club, Newcastle Falcons, issued a statement that said: "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."

The case is likely to lead to further calls for rape suspects to be granted anonymity until conviction, after a string of similar charges which saw the accused unanimously cleared by a jury in a short space of time.