THE husband of a woman who claims she was raped in a St Helier bedsit after a night out told the Royal Court that his “world fell apart” when his wife broke down in tears and disclosed the alleged assault.
Adelino Moreira (65) pleaded not guilty to one count of rape stemming from an incident in 2023.
Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho, prosecuting, said the alleged victim had spent an evening with friends in which she had consumed alcohol.
The woman encountered Mr Moreira at a St Helier nightclub. The court heard that he agreed to look after her when she became unwell, before taking her back to his bedsit.
The woman previously told the court that she had no memory after arriving at the property until around 5am, when she became aware Mr Moreira was on top of her and raping her.
Her husband told the jury yesterday that he became “concerned” when his wife did not return home that night.
He said that when she eventually arrived back in the early hours, she went “straight to bed” and was withdrawn.
The husband said he sensed “something was not right” in the days afterwards and eventually pressed her for answers.
“This is when she broke into tears, when she said that she had been raped. My world then fell apart. It was hard to hear that, really hard,” he told the jury.
Opening the case on Monday, Advocate Carvalho argued that the woman had not consented to sex and was incapable of doing so because she was asleep.
But Advocate Rui Tremoceiro, representing Mr Moreira, said that the alleged victim had willingly gone to his home, undressed and initiated sexual activity.
Interview transcripts read to the court showed the defendant initially said he did not remember what had happened, before admitting sexual contact had taken place – although different and lesser than that described by the alleged victim.
Mr Moreira denied forcing himself on the woman, telling officers: “I didn’t do anything.”
Several character references were also read to the jury, describing Mr Moreira as a “trustworthy, dedicated and honest individual” who was “highly regarded” by colleagues.
A friend described him as “enthusiastic” and “caring”, adding: “He has a genuine heart and was always interested in helping.”
Others who had known him for decades said he was “good-natured”, “polite”, “honest” and “respectful”.
The trial, presided over by Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae, is due to continue today.
