A CHEF accused of raping a Czech 'sex slave' in a people trafficking case has been acquitted.
Rojob Uddin, 41, who worked at India Cottage, Vicarage Row, Samlesbury, had denied the two counts of raping the 22-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
On the instructions of Judge Andrew Gilbart QC, sitting at Preston Crown Court, Mr Uddin was acquitted after the prosecution decided to offer no further evidence.
Mohammed Islam, 40, of Manchester, who was the owner of the restaurant, and another chef Sheraz Uddin, 39, and Sofiur Rahman, 28, also of Manchester, were also acquitted.
They had been charged with trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation.
The trial in which seven other defendants from Manchester and Leeds, who all deny various trafficking and prostitution offences, is expected to resume tomorrow.
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