THE case against a man who had been accused of raping a woman in St Helens has been dropped due to "insufficient evidence", says the Crown Prosecution Service.

Nadal Diaf, 23, of Charles Street, St Helens, who had been accused of committing the alleged offence at around 3.15am on Monday, August 27, had a charge of rape against him dropped at Liverpool Crown Court last Thursday (October 18). 

The CPS said that the case was discontinued in light of "further key evidence" as it was decided there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction".

A spokesperson for the CPS said: "Following further investigation by Merseyside Police this case was carefully re-reviewed by the CPS in light of the receipt of further key evidence. 

"Review is a continuing process and prosecutors must take account of any change in circumstances that occurs as a case develops.

"As a result of this re-review the CPS decided there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and this decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. 

"The case was then stopped at Liverpool Crown Court on October 18."

They added: "Any decision by the CPS does not imply any finding concerning guilt or criminal conduct. 

"The CPS makes decisions only according to the test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors and it is applied in all decisions on whether or not to prosecute."