Rhodes rape charge Briton released

A British tourist arrested for rape on Rhodes was set free today after his alleged victim said she could not face a court ordeal.

Gary Booth, 26, of Epsom, faced up to seven years imprisonment on charges of raping and physically injuring the 19-year-old woman, also a British holidaymaker, after a drunken party on the island on Friday.

Greek police reported yesterday that Booth had confessed to the attack, but he was released today - after three nights in a cell - after the alleged victim backed out of a court confrontation. In a statement issued today, the woman said: "I do not wish to press charges further because a trial would cause social problems both for me and my family and we do not want to go through such an ordeal."

Her statement led to a decision by the Prosecutor and Investigating Magistrate of Rhodes to order his unconditional release. He is free to return to Britain, pending a further ruling next month by the island's Council Of Judges as to whether or not he should be put on trial.