1.   Even the rape case against him began falling apart when his alleged victim failed to appear in court.

2.   In this stage of a rape case, the focus often shifts onto the victim and her conduct.

3.   It is all too common to blame the victim in rape cases.

4.   Specifically the Heilbron Report did not recommend similar anonymity for defendants in rape cases.

5.   The case has been beset by the kinds of official miscues typical in rape cases here.

6.   The Government is considering new laws to counter date rape and to improve the way rape cases are handled.

7.   But in court I have probably dealt with more rape cases than any other living lawyer.

8.   And my experience has been that virtually all rape cases have been the forcible interference with a woman.

9.   The controversial Tory MP Sir Nicholas Fairbairn has joined the debate about anonymity in rape cases.

10.   The former Solicitor General has joined the debate over anonymity in rape cases.