This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7232612.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
BBC presenter denies rape claim BBC presenter denies rape claim
(20 minutes later)
A BBC presenter who denies raping a man he met at a New Year party has told a court he would never have harmed him.A BBC presenter who denies raping a man he met at a New Year party has told a court he would never have harmed him.
Nigel Wrench, 47, said he took cocaine with the 26-year-old alleged victim and they returned to Mr Wrench's flat in Finsbury Park, north London, last year.Nigel Wrench, 47, said he took cocaine with the 26-year-old alleged victim and they returned to Mr Wrench's flat in Finsbury Park, north London, last year.
He told the Old Bailey they drank champagne before having consensual sex.He told the Old Bailey they drank champagne before having consensual sex.
Earlier, the jury was ordered to return not guilty verdicts of sexual assault and supplying a drug with intention to engage in sexual activity. Earlier, the jury was ordered to return not guilty verdicts of sexual assault and supplying the drug Temazepam with intention to engage in sexual activity.
Judge Michael Shamrock said there was insufficient evidence for a conviction.Judge Michael Shamrock said there was insufficient evidence for a conviction.
HIV positive Experiencing blackouts
Mr Wrench, a presenter on BBC Radio 4's PM programme, has denied all charges.Mr Wrench, a presenter on BBC Radio 4's PM programme, has denied all charges.
He told the jury he never did anything with the alleged victim that he had not agreed to, and would have stopped if he had been asked.He told the jury he never did anything with the alleged victim that he had not agreed to, and would have stopped if he had been asked.
"The last thing - that is the irony of the situation, isn't it? - I would have done is to harm him," Mr Wrench told the court."The last thing - that is the irony of the situation, isn't it? - I would have done is to harm him," Mr Wrench told the court.
Mr Wrench told the court it was "hard to believe" the man's claims that he was experiencing blackouts and going in and out of consciousness, saying he would have tried to help him if he was unwell.
HIV positive
Mr Wrench took two Temazepam tablets to go to sleep and offered one to the alleged victim, which he accepted, he told the court.
The presenter told the court he had never made a secret about being gay and had presented a lesbian and gay radio programme, Out This Week, on BBC Radio 5 Live.The presenter told the court he had never made a secret about being gay and had presented a lesbian and gay radio programme, Out This Week, on BBC Radio 5 Live.
The jury heard he had spoken on the radio and written articles about the fact that he was HIV positive.The jury heard he had spoken on the radio and written articles about the fact that he was HIV positive.
Mr Wrench said he told his alleged victim about his HIV status on the night they met. The court has been told the man also has HIV.Mr Wrench said he told his alleged victim about his HIV status on the night they met. The court has been told the man also has HIV.
The trial continues.The trial continues.