Deshaune Clarke and a tearful Ashaunie Davis, who were 17 and 16, respectively, at the time of the alleged incident, were acquitted on Friday after the seven-member jury deliberated for approximately one hour.

According to the allegations, on October 13, 2021, the complainant was taken from her home by the two accused men and carried to Clarke’s house against her will. Prosecutors alleged that while she screamed for help, the men covered her mouth and took turns sexually assaulting her.

However, both men denied the allegations and maintained that the sexual encounters were consensual. The defence argued that the complainant only reported the matter after members of the community became aware of her relationship with the men.