A Mount Isa man accused of raping a 17-year-old schoolgirl has been found not guilty.
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A Mount Isa District Court jury deliberated for two hours and 15 minutes before delivering their unanimous verdict.
The man, who will not be named to protect the identity of the teenage complainant, was charged with rape, sexual assault and common assault.
Crown Prosecutor Catherine Birkett told the court the teen was solicited by the 34-year-old man on social media.
Ms Birkett said the girl had met up with the man willingly before he pressured her back to his house, strangled her and raped her.
The prosecution produced text messages where the man apologised to the girl “for being rough last night”.
Defence barrister Frank Richards described the encounter as consensual “heavy petting” and said no intercourse had taken place.
The defence case hinged on the fact there were no witnesses or DNA evidence and the girl had met up with him freely.
