The father of a university graduate who was falsely accused of rape has hit out at the investigation into his son’s case, suggesting that prosecutors failed to ask basic questions.

Lewis Tappenden, 24, a recent graduate from York St John University was cleared on Tuesday of raping an 18-year-old student after an alcohol-fuelled night out in the city centre.

Outside court his father Rob Tappenden, 51, said that his son could have been saved from an ordeal that left him feeling suicidal "if certain questions had been asked 18 months ago".

A jury at York Crown Court took less than two hours to clear Tappenden, who broke down in tears as the jury read out their verdict.