A farm labourer raped a sleeping woman in her bed

A farm labourer raped a sleeping woman in her bed following a topless drinking session at a house party, a court heard today(MON).

Hercules Pretorius climbed into the bunk with the attractive 21-year-old, and started having sex with her while her room-mate slept above, it is claimed.

But the waitress pushed Pretorius away and ran into the toilet, locking the door behind her.

Pretorius, 22, claims she began stroking his chest as they lay in bed together before consenting to sex.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Pretorius had visited the home of his alleged victim in Forest Gate, east London, for a barbecue on May 18 last year.

At one stage during the evening he pulled the South African woman onto his lap but she made it clear she was not interested in him, it is claimed.

Helen McCormack, prosecuting, said: ‘A lot of drink was consumed and this lady could be described as drunk, this defendant had also had a lot to drink.

‘Their behaviour was quite boisterous and the woman was drinking in the kitchen with a friend with their tops off.

‘As far as they were concerned it was simply high spirits.

‘There was a drinking game a little later and by the time she went to bed she was drunk.

‘By the early hours she had enough and went on her own upstairs to her bed and fell asleep.

‘The next thing she new she woke up to discover this defendant on top of her.

‘It took her a few moments to realise he was having sex with her when she felt pain in her vagina.

‘She made it quite clear to him she did not want this to happen and pulled up her knees, pushed him off, got up and ran to the toilet.

‘

The court heard how Pretorius followed her to the bathroom to find out what was wrong but left to find another bed when she refused to answer him.

The following morning the young woman made a complaint to police.

When Pretorius was arrested and interviewed at Forest Gate Police Station he said they began to kiss and then had sex after the drinking games.

But half way through ‘her mind cleared’ causing her to jump up and run into the bathroom, he claimed.

Pretorius, of Copas Farm, Long Lane, Cookham, Berkshire, denies one charge of rape.

The trial continues.

ends