A MAN who denies the alleged rape of a woman has told a court jury they had a “consensual” sexual encounter in a Penrith alleyway.
Mark George Farrell, 28, denies three charges, all of which allege the rape of a woman.
Farrell is on trial at Carlisle Crown Court, where a jury has heard the woman’s account of an incident in an alleyway off Middlegate in Penrith during the early hours of April 1.
Today (WED), Farrell gave evidence from the witness box, and spoke of meeting the female at around 3-15am in the Burrowgate area. CCTV has been seen by jurors which captured the pair walking along that street, across Middlegate and then into the alleyway close to a town takeaway.
“We were looking for a private place. That, in general, was the closest,” Farrell said.
His lawyer, Brian Williams, asked: “Did she, at any stage, tell you to get lost, or words to that effect; to leave her alone?”
“No,” Farrell replied.
Farrell said a sexual encounter occurred inside the alleyway – beginning with kissing and ending when he suffered cramp in his leg.
“Whilst it was happening, did she say anything or do anything to make you think she didn’t want this to happen?” asked Mr Williams.
“Absolutely not,” said Farrell.
Mr Williams continued: “Nothing to suggest this wasn’t consensual?”
Farrell, of St Ann’s Crescent, Carlisle, responded: “Not at all.”
The trial continues.
