Jury discharged in rape trial of top swimmer Otto Putland

Credit: Wales News Service

A jury has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict in the trial of a Commonwealth Games swimmer accused of raping a teenager.

Otto Putland, 23, was accused of raping the 19-year-old woman shortly after she'd had consensual sex with his best friend.

Mr Putland, of Dinedor, Hereford, had denied the charges and said the two had consensual sex following a night out in Cardiff city centre.

Today the jury cleared Mr Putland of one count of rape, but failed to reach a verdict on the second count after more than four hours of deliberation.

A decision will now be made about a potential re-trial.