THE jury in the trial of a man accused of raping a girl aged “five or six” has been sent home after it failed to reach a verdict.

Roger Robinson, 69, of Beachy Road, Crawley, denies 15 counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault. He denies the charges.

The jury deliberated for more than four and a half hours before being sent home.

Her Honour Judge Shani Barnes told the jury at Hove Crown Court on April 4 they were dealing with a “complex” case. 

“This is not an easy case,” she told the jury before they started deliberating.

She said the jury would have to consider whether this was “a case that shows [the girl] was lying” or a case where “[any inconsistencies] are fractured memories”.

“That is what you will have to decide,” she added.

The offences are alleged to have taken place over a period of 17 years.

The court has previously heard from Rowan Jenkins, the prosecutor, that the alleged offences were “depraved”.

It has also heard from Nicholas Hamblin, defending, that due to a lack of forensic evidence the case was “one person’s word against another” after the alleged victim and the defendant addressed the court.

The jury will return to court to consider its verdict on April 5.

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