Retrial after jury fails to reach verdict in rape trial in Plymouth

A RETRIAL is to be held for a teenager accused of raping a schoolgirl after a jury failed to agree on its verdict.

The panel of nine women and two men could not agree on the guilt or innocence of 19-year-old Brenan Grenney at Plymouth Crown Court.

Judge Graham Cottle discharged the jury after more than four and a half hours of deliberations at the end of a three-day trial.

Llewellyn Sellick, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the complainant had been consulted and asked for a retrial.

The girl had given evidence in court via a videolink earlier in the week.

Grenney, of Embankment Road, denies raping a girl under the age of 16 on August 16, 2011.

He has admitted an alternative charge of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

Judge Cottle told the court the new hearing should be held as soon as possible.

Grenney was released on bail while the prosecution and defence liaise with the court in order to set a date for the retrial.