A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the case of a married waiter alleged to have raped a 19-year-old girl at the restaurant where he worked.

After retiring for nearly five hours yesterday at Worcester Crown Court, the foreman of a panel of nine men and three women said there was no realistic prospect of them reaching a decision.

Judge Michael Mott said the allegation against Abdul Miah may have to be re-tried and ordered it to be mentioned in court next Wednesday.

Miah, aged 27, of Hemming Way, Evesham, had denied raping the girl when she visited Pundits in Old Street, Upton-on-Severn.

He claimed she consented to sex after she called at the restaurant to talk about problems after a 10-month relationship with a boyfriend had broken down