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Former Today boss Eddy Shah cleared of schoolgirl rape Former Today boss Eddy Shah cleared of schoolgirl rape
(35 minutes later)
Former UK newspaper boss Eddy Shah has been found not guilty of raping a schoolgirl.Former UK newspaper boss Eddy Shah has been found not guilty of raping a schoolgirl.
Mr Shah, 69, who founded the Today newspaper, denied six counts of rape. He had told the Old Bailey he had "never touched" the teenage girl.Mr Shah, 69, who founded the Today newspaper, denied six counts of rape. He had told the Old Bailey he had "never touched" the teenage girl.
The businessman, from Chippenham, had said his biggest concern when the allegations came to light was having to admit to his wife he used a prostitute. Former escort Susan Davies, 53, of Swanley, Kent, was cleared of aiding and abetting rape, indecent assault and cruelty to a person under 16.
Anthony Pallant, 53, of West Malling, Kent, was cleared of raping the girl.
The jury cleared Mr Shah, of Chippenham, Wiltshire, after almost 18 hours of deliberations.
Ms Davies was cleared of forcing the complainant, now in her early 30s, to have threesomes with her and Mr Shah.
Blackmail fear
Mr Shah maintained he met the girl twice in hotels while she was accompanied by Ms Davies but never had sex with her.
Mr Shah said "thank you" to the jury and appeared to fight back tears as the verdicts were read out.
His wife, Jennifer White Shah, was present in court and wept after hearing that her husband had been cleared.
The trial previously heard that Mr Shah paid for sex with co-defendant Mrs Davies, who was accused of procuring the girl.
The businessman had said his biggest concern when the allegations came to light was having to admit to his wife he had used a prostitute.
He told the court: "I always thought it was a case of blackmail or something."He told the court: "I always thought it was a case of blackmail or something."
The trial previously heard that Mr Shah paid for sex with co-defendant Susan Davies, 53, who was accused of procuring the girl. Businessman Mr Pallant was also cleared of indecent assault.