FORMER pub licensee Peter Craddock said he was innocent of rape as he waited five hours for a jury at Liverpool Crown Court to reach the same decision.

Speaking exclusively to Globe Editor Robin Bird, during the trial, Mr Craddock, of Egremont Parade, Wallasey, said: "If I go down for this, I want you to know I am innocent."

The 48-year-old, silver haired former licensee of a New Brighton pub, added after the verdict: "Now I just want to rebuild my life. I have had months in jail, a week at crown court but these last five hours have been an eternity."

Mr Craddock showed no emotion throughout his trial and explained that this was because he knew he was innocent of all charges. His long standing girlfriend, who supported him throughout, gave a gasp as the verdicts were announced and later broke down in tears.

Mr Craddock said: "I just want to get back to a normal home life as soon as possible. I miss my cats. While in Walton Jail I imagined what it must be like to be a cat in a cattery. It helped me cope while being remanded in custody. The rest of the time I just concentrated on what would happen today.

"After all, I woke up in the pub to be arrested for rape. I was in jail for months on end and had plenty to time to remember what happened the night before."

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