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Warriors winger Crockett has rape charges dismissed

Posted November 21, 2008 21:20:00

Rape charges against New Zealand Warriors NRL player Michael Crockett have been dismissed by a Sydney court.

Crockett, 25, fronted a committal hearing on Friday at Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on three sex charges.

The diminutive winger was accused of raping a 19-year-old woman whom he met at a nightclub during after-game celebrations in August last year.

However, Deputy Chief Magistrate Helen Syme has ruled the alleged victim's evidence, and that of her sister, was so inconsistent that a jury would not be satisfied she was telling the truth.

"In my view, there are a number of inconsistencies in the complainant's evidence that may wield difficulties for the prosecution case," she said.

"I'm therefore of the view that a jury, properly instructed in relation to the evidence in this matter would not convict the accused of the charges brought and for those reasons, I propose to discharge him."

Crockett sighed and mouthed "thank you" to his lawyer.

He refused to comment as he left the court.

-AAP

Tags: law-crime-and-justice, courts-and-trials, sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, new-zealand