Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

A taxi operator charged with the rape of a passenger was freed by a jury in the St Catherine Circuit Court yesterday.

The jury retired for 40 minutes and returned an unanimous not-guilty verdict .

High Court Judge Nicole Simmonds then told the accused that he was free to go.

The Crown led evidence that, on April 9, 2011 about 7:30 p.m., the complainant took a Toyota Noah bus that was being operated as a taxi by the accused.

He reportedly took her to a lonely area where he raped her. The complainant reported her ordeal after the alleged incident.

An investigation was launched which resulted in the taxi operator being charged with rape. The accused was represented by attorney-at-law Tameka Harris.

He is the second rape accused to be freed in the St Catherine Circuit Court since the start of the week.