A TUNISIAN man has been found not guilty of raping a 15-year-old disabled boy.

Despite initially denying to police that he had sex with the boy, who suffers from learning difficulties, married Naoufel Jelassi change his story when conclusive forensic evidence came to light.

He then said the boy had agreed to have sex with him for money.

Sophie Shotton, defending, said Jelassi had been of good character since marrying a British woman and settling in Walthamstow in 2005.

She said the teenager has both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Reactive Attachment Disorder, which means he easily befriends strangers, can make outrageous accusations, is a compulsive liar and throws temper tantrums when he does not get his way.

Miss Shotton added: "He consented to having sex. There was no force and the boy was able to ejaculate afterwards. He threw a tantrum afterwards when he realised he was not going to make any extra money.That led to these false allegations."

The jury found Jelassi not guilty of two counts of rape after a majority verdict.