Murray Dale Leon Sam has been acquitted of sexual assault, breaking and entering to commit an indictable offence and assault with a weapon — a lit cigarette.

On Monday, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Keith Bracken said he had reviewed all the evidence and found he had reasonable doubt as to whether events as described by the accuser had, in fact, occurred.

The accuser — whose identity is protected by a court order — testified that she had a brief relationship with Sam but it had been over for about a month when he appeared in her Central Saanich living room in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2011.

She said she jumped up and told him she didn't want him there. She told the court that Sam started pushing and grabbing at her.

She testified that he pushed her into the wall because she was trying to use her phone.

Then, she said, Sam dragged and kicked her down the hallway and threw her on the bed. She testified that Sam threatened to put out a lit cigarette on her face, but she managed to get her hand in the way.

Sam denied burning the woman with a lit cigarette and forcing her to have sex against her will.

He testified they had consensual sex that night.

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