A Roman Catholic priest has been cleared of raping a woman in 1986 following a trial.
Retired John Anthony Clohosey, 72, who presided over churches across the North-East, denied one charge of rape, and said what happened between him and the woman was consensual.
During the six-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court, he said he wanted to have sex with the woman and that they kissed and cuddled but it went no further.
The complainant had told jurors she was raped by the priest on her bed after he repeatedly asked her for sex, which she refused.
His accuser, who cannot be identified, in recent years had asked the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle for help to pay a legal bill.