A man yesterday denied he raped a student at a housewarming party and told the jury at the Central Criminal Court they had consensual sex.
The 26-year-old man claimed the woman initiated sexual activity by kissing and fondling him and removed her panties to take part in sexual intercourse. The man has pleaded not guilty to raping and sexually assaulting the woman on June 7th, 1997. He told Mr Barry White SC, defending, that when he went to bed feeling "very tired" he saw a "bundle" lying on his bed.
He was annoyed and tried to move to two other rooms but found them taken. He returned to his own bedroom and saw a girl. He lay on the outside edge of the bed and fell asleep.
He woke with arms across him and said the woman then kissed and groped him. When she pulled down her tights he thought her "forward". He removed his trousers soon afterwards and sexual intercourse took place to which she "fully consented".
He said the woman earlier danced around him flamenco-style in an "over the top" manner. She told him "you're the type of guy I'd go for - I think you're cute". He said intercourse didn't take long. He asked if she was on the pill and began fumbling for a condom.
He said at this stage the woman said: "I have a boyfriend" and walked out of the room.
He thought this strange but fell asleep. He said she had shown no signs of upset. Later he just couldn't work out why she was annoyed in the kitchen.
Cross-examined by Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, the man denied the woman's claim that he had earlier said he wanted to make love to her.
The woman's best friend earlier said her friend was "very committed" to her boyfriend and had not flirted with the man at the party.
The hearing continues.