Alleged rape trial to continue today in Royal Court

Tuesday 28 March 2017

The prosecution will continue to put its case today in the trial of man accused of raping a woman in June 2016.

The defendant, Michael Lee Steer, denies all charges which include two counts of rape, and one of indecent assault.

The alleged victim appeared in Court yesterday, visibly shaken and upset, to give her account of the case.

She said that the night before the alleged rape she had been to a housewarming party.

She then alleged that early the following morning, the defendant forced himself onto her twice before he indecently assaulted her describing him as being "in absolute rage." She said she never agreed to have sex with him. 

"I was sobbing out loud. I felt helpless, I couldn't do anything. I was trying to stop his hands from coming up to my chest - he was so mad I thought he was going to strangle me," the alleged victim told the Court.

She also explained that she didn't try to fight back because she was afraid it would get worse, "I didn't want to invite him to become more forceful." 

The prosecution, led by Crown Advocate Conrad Yates, will continue to put its case today.