Woman to bring civil case against man acquitted of raping her

Stephen Coxen, 23, from Lancashire, who was accused of raping the former St Andrews University student in September 2013, was acquitted at the High Court of Justiciary in 2015.

He had also been accused of stealing her phone, a charge that was dropped at trial.

The jury returned a verdict of not proven.

Miss M, who now seeks £100,000 in damages and financial loss, accuses Mr Coxen of raping her and injuring her tongue.

She has been granted costs to cover her case by the Scottish Legal Aid Board, with the case due to be heard in March at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Miss M alleged she was raped at a friend’s house-warming where she consumed champagne and vodka. She then went to a students’ union and nightclub and continued drinking.

She said Mr Coxen accompanied her to her flat where he forced entry and violently raped her, resulting in an injury to her tongue which required surgery and a form of post-traumatic stress disorder as well as depression.

She made a report four months after the alleged attack.

St Andrews University is supporting Miss M. Sally Mapstone, principal of the university has met her a number of times to discuss the case.

“We have offered Miss M practical and pastoral support while she pursues a difficult case which has a major bearing on her general wellbeing and her future,” a university spokesman said.