Ōhakea air base 42 squadron leader James Rankin has been acquitted of assaulting his former partner during the coronavirus lockdown. A leading airman has been acquitted of assaulting his former partner during the coronavirus lockdown, after a judge found the woman was not a credible witness. The pair decided to spend at least the first two weeks of the 2020 nationwide coronavirus lockdown together at Thompson’s Palmerston North home. Rankin told Thompson three days into lockdown he only wanted a simple friendship, but Thompson believed they had committed to a long-term relationship. Thompson told police Rankin lifted her off the ground before throwing her down, causing the injuries.

Source: Stuff April 30, 2021 04:30 UTC