An Oxford University student spent two years on bail accused of rape because police claimed they were too busy dealing with other reports in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, a damning report has revealed.

Oliver Mears, 19, was accused of raping a woman at a house party in July 2015, but was not charged until June 2017.

Just days before he was due to stand trial in January this year, prosecutors announced they were dropping the case due to insufficient evidence.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has admitted the police and lawyers had made a string of blunders which had prolonged Mr Mears' ordeal.

Details of the failings have now been revealed after a letter of explanation sent to the trial judge was obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

In the letter a senior prosecutor explained that Mr Mears - who was studying Chemistry at St Hugh's College, Oxford - had been accused of rape in July 2015, but Surrey Police had not passed a file of evidence to the CPS, for a charging decision until May 2017.