A judge repeatedly warned defence lawyers about running afoul of rape shield laws during an Edmonton sex assault trial. Their client was acquitted

In January , Farhan Hussen Ahmed was found not guilty of sexual assault after a woman accused him of raping her in 2021 .

The 24-year-old began a jury trial Jan. 13 in the Court of King’s Bench , represented by three lawyers.

The defence asked the complainant whether she was sexually “active” and whether she knew the term “doggy style” Lise Gotell , a University of Alberta expert on Canadian sexual assault law, reviewed courtroom audio from Jan. 15 .

Gotell: “I think he (Mah) should have declared a mistrial,” she said.

Jurors were sent from the room after defence lawyer Ochomma posed another question that ground the trial to a halt.

The defence lawyer asked the complainant about the term “doggy style’ and again asked the jury to leave.

Tensions between defence and complainant boiled over again when defence asked complainant whether she took advantage of Ahmed ’s “nice and quiet” demeanour by making a sexual assault complaint.

The jury found Ahmed not guilty Jan. 21 .

The Crown , for its part, says it will not appeal the decision.

Ahmed is facing six charges in a separate case, alleging he sexually interfered with two girls under the age of 16 .