A PORTUGUESE shop owner has been cleared of raping a 15-year-old girl – but now faces a further trial for sex offences.
Jose Marques was accused of raping the schoolgirl in the flat above his business.
But the 33-year-old was unanimously found not guilty of two counts of rape.
Marques, of Portland Street, Southport, showed no emotion as he was told the verdicts by an interpreter.
Following the conclusion of the trial, Marques was released from the dock.
But Judge David Aubrey QC ordered him to return to Liverpool Crown Court on November 17 for a trial on a further allegation of sexual activity with a child from April 26.
He told Marques: “You are discharged in respect of this matter, but you are aware that you must be in this court on November 17.”
