A Royston man who followed a drunk woman from a pub saying he was going to make sure she could get home safely has gone on trial accused of raping her. Robin Oakes, 45 told police he did not have intercourse with her but there had been some sexual touchi

A Royston man who followed a drunk woman from a pub saying he was going to make sure she could get home safely has gone on trial accused of raping her.

Robin Oakes, 45 told police he did not have intercourse with her but there had been some sexual touching at her instigation.

Oakes, of Swinburne Close, has pleaded not guilty at Luton Crown Court to rape and an alternative charge of sexual assault.

Prosecutor Ian Wade outlined the case to the jury.

He said the victim, a married mother in her late 20s, was out for the evening of Oct 28 2006 with her husband and a friend from London.

They drank in several pubs. "It is true that she drunk a great deal. A blood test later registered the equivalent of three and a half times the legal driving limit. She was not paralytic but had some difficulty remembering the precise details of that evening.

"She became separated from her husband and friend, quite how it is not known. She was then seen in the Coach and Horses alone. She was a blond, attractive woman who said to the world at large 'who's going to buy me a drink then?'," said the prosecutor.

In fact, the landlord said he thought she should leave. Oakes was drinking at the bar and was seen to leave his drink and leave the pub saying he was going to make sure she was alright.

"The woman told police that someone was walking with her when they pushed her to the ground and pinned her down roughly. She struggled and struck his face but he took hold of her throat and was throttling her.

"She thought she might die in his grip and decided she must stop struggling. She believes she shouted for help and then felt him rape her."

Mr Wade said the victim had believed she was attacked behind the Manor House, but the defendant later described the incident taking place behind a warehouse in Lumen Road.

She managed to get to her home, where her injuries were visible to her friend and police were called.

The jury were told that the defendant's blood was discovered on her clothing, including inside her knickers. But no semen that could be linked to him was found.

He was arrested at the end of November and during the first three interviews did not answer police questions.

But in the fourth interview he told how he followed her from the pub and helped her. He said she could barely walk and he gave her a fireman's lift some of the way.

But then he alleged she "came on to him" and led him to a dark area where they kissed and touched each other. But then her mood suddenly altered and he just left her there.

His explanation for the blood was that it must have come from a cold sore on his lip that was bleeding.

The case continues