A MAN who prosecutors claimed sexually assaulted a woman while she was sleeping at her home has been cleared of any wrong-doing.

Matthew Seaward, 41, of Rogers Street, Oxford, had always denied one count of sexual assault.

As his trial at Oxford Crown Court came to an end this afternoon jurors took just one hour and 38 minutes to unanimously find him not guilty of the offence.

After he was discharged from the dock presiding Judge Maria Lamb thanked the jury panel for their dedication to the case.

She said: "Thank you to the jury for the careful consideration of this case.

"Your participation is utterly central to the criminal justice system, we cannot proceed without you and I am very grateful to you."

During the trial, which began earlier this week prosecutor Jonathan Stone said that the alleged victim had been out with friends in pubs around Cowley Road in June last year.

She went back to an address in East Oxford together with others, the court heard, where it was claimed she was sexually assaulted by Mr Seaward.

The woman said that when she woke up she found Mr Seaward lying next to her and sexually assaulting her.

She went on to say that upon realising what was happening she began shouting at him and telling him to leave.

Jurors were told during the case that when interviewed by police Mr Seaward accepted going into the room and going on to the bed but had always denied ever sexually assaulting the woman.