[A] CARLISLE accused of raping a woman and spraying bleach in her face described her allegations as “rubbish”, jurors have heard.
Paul James Edward Beattie, 51, faces five charges arising out of an incident in the city on June 3. He has denied twice raping the woman, assaulting her both by spraying bleach in her face and spitting at her, and damaging her mobile phone.
Beattie further denies a charge which alleges that he administered a poison or noxious substance with intent – by “force-feeding” her a prescription drug.
On day two of Beattie’s trial at Carlisle Crown Court today (WED), a jury was read the transcript of an interview he gave police on June 4.
Upon being told he had been arrested in suspicion of rape, he replied: “That’s rubbish.”
Asked whether he sprayed her with bleach, he responded: “Rubbish. That’s rubbish, I wouldn’t do that.”
When asked whether he force-fed the woman prescription tablets, he replied: “I wouldn’t do that.”
Beattie, of Howard Place, Carlisle, repeated his denials in a second interview the following day, the court heard.
His trial continues.
