A gay Bradford police officer – cleared of male rape and sexual assault charges – has now had a drugs allegation against him dropped.

PC Mark Carter, a former Mr Gay UK, was cleared in June of raping a man and carrying out two sexual assaults, while on a Christmas night out in Leeds.

He was due to face trial later this year on separate charges of possessing the anabolic steroid Stanozolol.

But yesterday Peter Mann, head of the complex casework unit at West Yorkshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Having carefully considered expert evidence, we are satisfied that Mr Carter’s use of the drugs was for a medicinal purpose within the terms of the Medicines Act 1968, and as such have taken steps to bring the case to an end today.”

PC Carter, 28, of Station Lane, Birkenshaw, thanked those who supported him in what he described as a “living nightmare”.

But the officer, who was based in Huddersfield, remains suspended from duty.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said yesterday: “PC Mark Carter remains suspended at this time. This case involves an allegation relating to the possession of steroids. A decision regarding disciplinary action remains under consideration.”

PC Carter went on trial at Leeds Crown Court earlier this year charged with sexually assaulting three men and raping a fourth while on a Christmas night out with colleagues.

He was cleared of two rape charges and two sexual assault charges. The jury failed to reach a verdict on another sexual assault charge and this was not proceeded with.

He admitted he had “stupidly” drunk too much on the night out but denied carrying out the assaults.