THE stress of being accused of rape led a man to deal in drugs, York Crown Court heard.

Gerald Hendron, prosecuting, said police stopped Nathan Christopher Stone, 23, on the A64 at Fulford with Valium tablets worth up to £2,800 if sold on the streets as well as drug debtor lists on October 31 last year.

He had been on bail at the time charged with rape, which he denied.

For Stone, Catherine Silverton said he had suffered from depression and anxiety in the two and a half years leading up to his trial for rape.

He had been prescribed medication by his doctor, but didn’t like the side effects, so had turned to Valium, bought it in bulk to save money and sold to family and friends to fund his drug use.

Two hours after a jury acquitted Stone of rape at the end of a three-day trial, the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Batty QC gave him a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years on condition he does 150 hours’ unpaid work and 20 days’ rehabilitative activities. Stone, of Barrowcliffe Road, a bricklayer from Scarborough, admitted possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply them.