A PUB manager has been acquitted of anally raping a mother-of-four.

A jury at Croydon Crown Court acquitted Anthony Maher of the charge after hearing the woman had not objected to the activity between them.

The 44-year-old woman said she was a customer at the Alma pub, Church Road, Crystal Palace, when the incident took place on October 25 last year.

The woman admitted she had had sex with Mr Maher, 46, on an earlier date but said she objected to what he did that night.

Mr Maher, who is now living at Aylets Field in Harrow, said they began sitting on a bench and ended up on the floor.

He said: "We helped each other off with our clothes.

"She was relaxed and happy and a little bit flirtatious."

Mr Maher added everything which had taken place had been with her consent.

He was acquitted on September 6.