Alleged rape trial continues in Royal Court

Wednesday 07 June 2017

The trial of a 37-year-old man who is accused of rape and indecent assault on a woman resumes this morning with the defendant giving evidence.

Marcio Patricio Figueira Dias is pleading not guilty to all charges.

Forensic examiner Doctor Deryn Evans was called by the prosecution, led by Crown Advocate Howard Sharp, to give evidence yesterday. She explained she'd conducted a three-hour examination of the victim the day after the alleged rape took place on 27 August 2016. She explained she found a small tender raised area on the victim's head as well as several bruises, but that she wasn't able to tell when they'd appeared.

Statements from two of the victim's friends were then read. One, by a friend who picked her up after the alleged assault took place, said she cried the whole way back in the car and had refused to tell him what had happened.

Summing up the agreed facts, Crown Advocate Sharp mentioned that while the defendant's DNA had been found on the victim, there was no evidence of internal injury, which occurs in only 40% of rape cases.

Proceedings continue today and the trial could last the whole week.