Navy lieutenant found not guilty of rape charges

A navy lieutenant accused of rape has been found not guilty.

The lieutenant has been before the court martial at Auckland's Devonport Naval Base this week, after a woman he dated while deployed overseas alleged he repeatedly attempted to have sexual intercourse without a condom, despite her refusal.

The defendant and complainant had consensual protected sex the next night and continued their relationship for one month.

The lieutenant denied the charges, and his defence has argued that the complainant fabricated her story out of jealousy after seeing him with another woman.

Summing up the case, Judge Michael Crosbie emphasised the question of reasonable doubt.

"It is not enough for the Crown to persuade you he is 'probably' guilty, or even 'highly likely' to be guilty," he said.