A WOMAN broke down in tears in the Royal Court as she described how she was allegedly beaten and raped by a 41-year-old man.
The woman had to leave the witness box for several minutes to regain her composure, after telling the jury that she had been attacked by David Nigel Pearce.
She was giving evidence on the third day of Mr Pearce’s trial. He denies four charges of rape and three of sexual assault.
Advocate David Steenson, defending, suggested that she had made up the allegations.
Sobbing, she said: “Have you ever been beaten up, Mr Steenson? It’s the truth.”
She requested a break before continuing.
The woman said that on one occasion when Mr Pearce raped her she told him “you’re hurting me” and “I’m bleeding”.
“He didn’t say anything,” she said.
Advocate Steenson suggested: “David never raped you. It was always the case that the sexual intercourse was consensual.” She replied: “Incorrect. I wouldn’t come here and put myself through this if I wasn’t telling the truth.”
Commissioner Alan Binnington is presiding over the trial. It is expected to last several more days.
