Rape accused was “ really shocked” by woman’s rejection

Morrisons employee Adam Brown, 23, told Bradford Crown Court today (Wednesday) that the complainant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared to be enjoying sexual foreplay with him and was making soft moaning noises before he tried to have sex with her in a makeshift bed on the floor of a friend’s house.

Brown, who was employed as a supervisor at the Elland branch of the Bradford-based supermarket chain, said the woman had given him a “tight cuddle” before he kissed her on the lips, neck and breasts.

The prosecution has alleged that the woman was drunk after sharing three bottles of wine with a friend and consuming a couple Applesourz shots.

The complainant had also been sick that night, but Brown, of Buttershaw Road, Bradford, said she responded to the kissing by arching her back and moving her legs.

“Did you think she was enjoying it?” asked his barrister James Lake.

“I did,” replied Brown.

Brown said the woman did not attempt to push him away, but when she indicated that she did not want him to perform oral sex on her he stopped.

He alleged that she made “soft moans” as the sexual contact continued and did not struggle when he removed her knickers.

“Did you ask her if you could have sex with her?” asked Mr Lake.

“It’s not something I’d ask before I was going to have sex with someone....I was just going by the signals I was getting,” said Brown.

“(She) seemed to be enjoying it...as far as I was concerned at that point she was well aware of what I was doing and where this was going.”

But Brown said when he tried to have sex with the complainant she turned round and asked him what he was doing.

“I was shocked so I pulled away and pulled my boxer shorts up,” he said.

Brown described being “really shocked” by what happened and said he felt confused by what the complainant had said.

“Do you think you might have misread any signals you were given?” asked Mr Lake.

“Definitely not,” replied Brown.

The defendant said they both went to sleep and the next morning the atmosphere between them was fine.

Brown said he felt “rejected” over what happened, but said he did not think he had taken advantage of the complainant.

During cross-examination by prosecutor Nicholas Askins, Brown accepted that he had previously suggested to the woman that they could have a “friends with benefits” relationship, but she had laughed it off.

Mr Askins suggested that the woman had repeatedly told Brown she simply wanted to go to sleep that night, but the defendant insisted that she hadn’t said that.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to keep her awake and have some fun?” asked Mr Askins.

“I didn’t,” replied Brown.

“Isn’t the truth Mr Brown that you knew she didn’t want to have intercourse with you but you thought she was too drunk to stop you?” said Mr Askins.

“No,” replied Brown.

Brown has pleaded not guilty to the rape charge and his trial continues.