Burghclere man Arron Jackson denies trying to rape woman

A MAN accused of trying to rape a sleeping woman has flatly denied any sexual activity took place.

During the trial at Reading Crown Court, jurors have heard the alleged victim told police she “would rather die” than have voluntary sexual relations with Arron Jackson.

The 30-year-old, of Ox Drove, Burghclere, denies sexual assault and attempted rape.

The prosecution claim that Mr Jackson had sexually assaulted the woman at Weald Rise where he was living at the time, by groping her and trying to have sex when she did not consent.

But, giving evidence from the witness box, Mr Jackson said no sexual encounter took place.

Earlier in the trial Edward Lucas, prosecuting, said the woman had been dozing when she felt Mr Jackson groping her.

Mr Jackson then put his hand inside her underwear and indecently assaulted her with his fingers, the woman said.

She went on to explain how Mr Jackson had then tried to pull her trousers down from behind.

Mr Lucas said: “She could feel his erect penis” as he tried to push it inside her.”

He added: “She managed to turn away, then pretended to wake up, giving the impression she didn’t know what had happened.

“He said: ‘I just wanted a hug,’ or words to that effect.”

The woman, who had nowhere else to stay at the time, said the same thing happened the following night.

The jury heard she thwarted Mr Jackson that time by wearing extra tight clothing.

Nadia Chbat, defending, told jurors: “At the beginning of this trial you may have thought: ‘what a strange man – how awful this is.’

“Proving a negative is a very hard thing to do.

“The prosecution say ‘why would she make it up?’

“Well, members of the jury, Mr Jackson doesn’t have to prove it’s false.

“And we don’t know why.

“Mr Jackson can’t tell you; he can’t help you with that.”

Ms Chbat pointed out that her client accepted he had been on the sofa with the complainant on one of the two nights she said the abuse happened.

She said: “She says she’s assaulted one night – and then stayed the next night.

“She says she had no choice – that’s a tricky one, you might think.

“She’s not stopped from leaving the house and you might think that’s a curious feature...even a child who gets burned doesn’t put themselves in that situation again.

“And she’s not a child; she’s perfectly capable of making choices, so why stay that second night?

“We say that’s because [the abuse] didn’t happen.”

Summing up the prosecution case on Tuesday, March 5, Mr Lucas urged jurors: “Apply your common sense.”

He added: “What possible motive had she for fabricating her account in this case?

“It’s not a pleasant thing to say but I’m going to say it: Mr Jackson is lying in this case.

“He took advantage of her.”

Mr Jackson denies sexual assault and attempted rape.

The jury was considering its verdicts as the Newbury Weekly News went to press.

Check back with newburytoday.co.uk for the result.