Bradford trial: Jury fails to reach verdicts over police sergeant accused of rape

Sergeant Ben Lister at Bradford Crown Court where a jury has failed to reach a verdict on whether he is guilty of rape.
Sergeant Ben Lister at Bradford Crown Court where a jury has failed to reach a verdict on whether he is guilty of rape.
Danny Lawson
Max Parry

By Max Parry


Published: 12/10/2021

- 12:58

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:35

Ben Lister, 36, an officer with West Yorkshire Police, was accused of sexually assaulting and raping a woman at a house in 2016

A jury has failed to reach verdicts in the trial of a police sergeant accused of raping a woman after a night out.

Ben Lister, 36, an officer with West Yorkshire Police, was accused of sexually assaulting and raping a woman at a house in 2016, after they had both been drinking.


The week-long trial at Bradford Crown Court heard the woman conceived a baby as a result of the alleged rape.

Lister, whose address cannot be published for legal reasons, denied one count of rape and one of assault by penetration.

Judge Richard Mansell QC discharged the jury after they deliberated for more than 10 hours but were unable to reach verdicts.

A new court hearing was listed for November 3.

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