Three Romanian men have been cleared of a gang rape attack having previously said they were guilty.
The alleged victim, who is in her 30s, told police she was lured away from a city centre and taken to an address in North Tyneside where she was attacked by three male strangers.
The woman had been on a night out in Newcastle prior to the incident which had allegedly taken place in the early hours of July 2.
Dumitru Manea, 29, and Daniel Lungu, 19, initially admitted their parts in the sex attack but have now walked free from court
Catalin Stan, 19, Dumitru Manea, 29, and Daniel Lungu, 19, all initially admitted their parts in the sex attack when they appeared at Newcastle Crown Court in August.
The trio, who required the assistance of a Romanian interpreter, had been warned they faced prison terms after pleading guilty to a single charge of rape.
However prior to their sentencing their legal teams made a successful application to a judge for their guilty pleas to be withdrawn.
As a result the pleas were changed to not guilty and the case was listed for trial in March next year.
But when the case was back in court today the prosecutors dropped the case entirely and the three men walked free.
Prosecutor Lee Fish told the court: ‘The position is, the complainant in this case has withdrawn all support for this prosecution.
‘She has made a retraction statement.
‘She does not wish for this case to continue or give evidence in March.
‘Matters have been discussed with her in some detail to ensure that this is a properly informed decision and the prosecution and the police are confident that it is.
‘This is not a case where the prosecution consider it appropriate to compel this lady to come to court and give evidence.
‘For those reasons, we formally offer no evidence in relation to all three defendants.’
Mr Fish said the complainant ‘maintains she was raped’ but does not want the case to continue.
Brian Mark, defending, said the defendant’s case is the allegation against them are ‘entirely baseless’.
He added: ‘They say the allegation is untrue.’
Paul Cross, also defending, said there was evidence which ‘contradicted’ the account given by the woman.
Mr Cross added: ‘To say she just changed her mind is potentially quite misleading.’
Judge Stephen Earl entered not guilty verdicts in respect of all three men, who have been held in custody since their arrest.
The judge told them: ‘The prosecution have offered no evidence in relation to the count on the indictment.
‘Each of you, therefore, is formally found not guilty and are entitled to leave the court.’