TWO men who went on trial accused of a city centre rape have been cleared of any wrong-doing.

Prosecutors at Oxford Crown Court had claimed that Victor Alvizu and Nestor Macias - 'deliberately took advantage' of their victim after a night out in the city.

The alleged victim - who cannot be named for legal reasons - said during the claimed attack at Turl Street on May 4 she begged the men to stop.

They had denied one count of rape, one count of attempted rape and a further count of attempted rape, which is an alternative count to the rape charge.

As their trial came to an end this morning jurors took 14 hours and 57 minutes to find Mr Alvizu, 20, of Green Road, Oxford, and Mr Macias, 37, of Downside Road, Headington, not guilty of all counts.

Presiding Judge Ian Pringle QC thanked the jury for their dedication to the case and the men - who have been in custody since their arrest - were discharged.

During the trial jurors heard from the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and who claimed she begged the men to stop the attack.

She claimed that she 'started to cry and scream' and said 'please, please, please, please don't, please stop'.

Both Mr Alvizu and Mr Macias went to the witness box to profess their innocence in the trial.

Mr Alvizu said he had a trial training session with Chelsea F.C. days after the incident.

He told jurors he had been out in the city centre that night to celebrate getting the trial.

It was at Turl Street, he said, that the woman tried to kiss him before she put her hands down his trousers and touched his penis.

Mr Alvizu told jurors he became 'excited' and 'surprised' and she then turned around and he tried unsuccessfully to have sex with her.