THERE is no answer yet on whether former Worcestershire cricketer Alex Hepburn will face another trial for the alleged rape of a woman in the city.

Mr Hepburn walked free from court last week after a jury failed to reach a verdict on the two rape charges for which the former Worcestershire County Cricket Club player was standing trial.

Jurors had failed to come to a unanimous verdict on Mr Hepburn's guilt or innocence at Worcester Crown Court after deliberating for over nine hours.

On Friday, after the jurors announced that they could not agree on a verdict, the court heard that Mr Hepburn could face a retrial in April, with the decision to be made by the Crown Prosecution Service.

However, yesterday there was no answer from the CPS on whether a retrial would happen or the charges against Mr Hepburn would be dropped.

A CPS spokesman told the Worcester News that it was possible that a decision would be made later this week.

For the CPS, the key consideration will be whether lawyers believe that a new jury could reach a unanimous or majority verdict when the previous one failed to agree.

Lawyers will consider why the first trial jury failed to reach a verdict, as well as the public interest in seeking a retrial, the interests and views of the alleged victim, any views expressed by the trial judge and the stance of the police.

Mr Hepburn’s career has been on hold during the investigation after he was suspended by Worcestershire County Cricket Club.