Publications
Partners
London - The boyfriend of late Grammy-winning British singer Amy Winehouse was cleared on Thursday of raping a female friend while she was asleep in his bed.
Reg Traviss, 35, was acquitted on two counts of raping the 27-year-old woman, by a jury at London's Southwark Crown Court after a three-day trial.
"I am really relieved, really relieved it's all over," Traviss said. "I never did it. The last nine months or however long has been crazy."
The prosecution had claimed that in the early hours of New Year's Eve last year Traviss attacked the woman, after she was so drunk she could not stand.
Blasted authorities
Traviss blasted authorities for bringing the case to court.
The film director said police should have dropped the case after CCTV footage showed the woman walking unaided with Traviss to get into a cab heading to his flat, contradicting what she told police.
"It feels like anyone can make a complaint and end up having their day in court," Traviss said.
In an unusual move his lawyer, Ian Winter, said after the acquittal that the allegations should not have got so far.
Traviss very relieved
"I don't think in my career I have defended a case where I have been so sure of my client's innocence," he said.
Traviss, who thanked Judge Deborah Taylor and hugged his family and friends after the verdict, said the pair had consensual sex following a night out drinking together.
He said during the case that he had hoped to start a relationship with the complainant.
Traviss had been in a relationship with Winehouse when she died of alcohol poisoning at her London home in July last year.
Reg Traviss, 35, was acquitted on two counts of raping the 27-year-old woman, by a jury at London's Southwark Crown Court after a three-day trial.
"I am really relieved, really relieved it's all over," Traviss said. "I never did it. The last nine months or however long has been crazy."
The prosecution had claimed that in the early hours of New Year's Eve last year Traviss attacked the woman, after she was so drunk she could not stand.
Blasted authorities
Traviss blasted authorities for bringing the case to court.
The film director said police should have dropped the case after CCTV footage showed the woman walking unaided with Traviss to get into a cab heading to his flat, contradicting what she told police.
"It feels like anyone can make a complaint and end up having their day in court," Traviss said.
In an unusual move his lawyer, Ian Winter, said after the acquittal that the allegations should not have got so far.
Traviss very relieved
"I don't think in my career I have defended a case where I have been so sure of my client's innocence," he said.
Traviss, who thanked Judge Deborah Taylor and hugged his family and friends after the verdict, said the pair had consensual sex following a night out drinking together.
He said during the case that he had hoped to start a relationship with the complainant.
Traviss had been in a relationship with Winehouse when she died of alcohol poisoning at her London home in July last year.
