Back in 1969, as a trainee police officer, our legal studies took in the question of rape.

It was made quite clear to us that a complaint had to be made within 14 days or it could not be investigated or prosecuted. This was supposedly to stop women who had consented to intercourse from crying rape if they found themselves pregnant.

On hearing that the actor Bill Roache is accused of a rape which took place more than 40 years ago, I wrote to MP Mike Weatherley.

My understanding is that Mr Roache would have to be charged with the law as it was at the time. I wondered if it was legally possible to bring a charge if the complaint was not made within two weeks, let alone 40 years ago.

My enquiry was referred to Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, who passed it on to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Nazir Afzal, the chief Crown prosecutor for the CPS replied: “Mr Bower has raised concerns about the prosecution of Mr William Roache. Nevertheless, the point raised by Mr Bower of having to report a rape within two weeks may have had its roots in the practice prevalent at the time, but it has no actual basis in law.”

The answer raises two very interesting questions: How many victims of rape were denied justice because the legal authorities of the day could not accept that the trauma of being raped caused a delay in making the complaint?

And, how can anyone be expected to get a fair trial for an event which took place 40 years ago, if it is based on the word of the accused against the word of the complainant?

Article Six of the modern Human Rights Act states that proceedings have to be brought within a reasonable time...

Thank you to Mike Weatherley MP for taking the time and trouble to direct my enquiry to the correct source.

Stuart Bower, Hallyburton Road, Hove