Durham University student George Worrall has called for changes to the law around sex crimes after he was cleared of rape

A student cleared of rape after the case against him collapsed has called for anonymity for those accused of sexual offences.

Durham University undergraduate George Worrall was facing three counts of rape, but just weeks before he was due to stand trial, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to proceed.

The CPS said that, following a review of the case, the prospect of a conviction appeared, 'very unlikely', due to, 'inconsistencies of the victim's account'.

As a result the Crown offered 'no evidence' against Mr Worrall and a formal not guilty verdict was recorded.

Mr Worrall, who denied all three charges, had been suspended by the university pending the outcome of the case.

The 22-year-old, from Cromer in Norfolk, has now spoken about his plans to return to his studies to resume his engineering course in September, and to campaign for anonymity for defendants accused of rape and other sexual offences.

Mr Worrall said: 'After 18 months of facing these allegations, I have finally been cleared by the Crown Prosecution Service, indicating late one afternoon that they did not plan to proceed with the case.

'I do not feel anger for what has been done to me but instead end the case with a renewed sense of purpose and pride for the things I have achieved over the last 18 months, both personally and professionally in spite of the investigation.'

Mr Worrell plans to return to Durham University, from which he was suspended during the investigation

In a statement released by his lawyers at Belmores Solicitors, he added: 'My experience is not an isolated one.

THE LAW ON ANONYMITY Since the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976, people who allege they are victims of rape have been automatically entitled to lifelong anonymity once their complaint has been made. This has since been extended to other sexual offences. Under the 1976 act, defendants in rape cases were also granted anonymity, but this was repealed by the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Advertisement

'There have been a number of high profile cases in the news recently where the defendants have been found not guilty and there are many young men, especially in higher education, who face similar situations across the country.

'These men go through life-changing ordeals and it is time the Government took action to provide adequate protection and grant anonymity to those accused until a court has made a decision as to guilt or innocence.

'When I return to Durham, in September, I will be setting up a group to provide support for young men in higher education who are facing allegations and lobbying for a change in legislation to ensure those accused are treated fairly and do not have their futures jeopardised once they are cleared.'

Mr Worrall's experience follows a number of recent high-profile cases, including that of singer Sir Cliff Richard and DJ Paul Gambaccini, who were told they would face no further action after high-profile and long-running investigations.