Dancehall artiste Elephant Man freed of rape charges

Dancehall artiste Elephant Man has been freed of rape charges after the prosecution offered no evidence against him.

The entertainer, whose given name is Oneil Bryan, appeared in the Home Circuit Court this morning on charges of rape, buggery and grievous sexual assault.

However, the prosecution said it could offer no evidence against Bryan because the complainant has died and was buried on January 17.

It said it would not be allowed to submit the complainant’s written statement under the Evidence Amendment Act.

Justice Marcia Dunbar Green then instructed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

The police said the charges against Bryan stemmed from an incident at his St. Andrew home in January 2012.

Investigators say a woman filed a police report claiming that the artiste had sexually assaulted her.

Bryan was represented today by attorney Jacqueline Asher who appeared on behalf of attorney Linda Wright.