Woman “asked me” to have sex, defendant tells jurors in rape trial

A man accused of raping a woman has described how the alleged victim asked him for sex.

Neil Chadwick (58) is facing charges at the Royal Court for allegedly having sex with the woman in a caravan when she was too drunk to consent.

Mr Chadwick denies one count of rape.

During his testimony in court yesterday, he told the jury that he met the woman at a party and accompanied her to the trailer.

Prosecutor Lauren Hallam said: “She was drunk, she was alone, she had no way of getting home.”

Mr Chadwick replied: “She was not alone. She was with friends.”

“I didn’t know (the alleged victim) before that evening. I didn’t know who her friends were.”

Lawyer Hallam argued that the woman was “in need of protection.”

Mr Chadwick said: “Vulnerable? She was stumbling, laughing and giggling. ‘Vulnerable’ is a word I wouldn’t use.”

“Intoxicated, yes.”

Mr Chadwick admitted the woman appeared drunk when she arrived at the caravan, but said when he returned about an hour and a half later, she asked him for sex.

Lawyer Hallam said: “You spoke to (the woman); you saw that her face was slightly swollen and red and out of concern you offered her some treatment in the form of ice.”

“What changed when you had that opinion and now thought it was appropriate to have sex with her?”

Mr Chadwick said: “Because she asked me to.”

He added: “We had a conversation after I returned.”

The defendant said: “I am a respectable person. I treat women with respect. I treat men with respect.”

He added: “It was alleged that I hit her. If only you could understand how ridiculous that is.”

“Anyone who knows my character knows that’s not the truth. That’s not me.”

Defence barrister Mike Preston read statements from 12 people in support of Mr Chadwick, who was described as a “kind” man who looked after his mother and checked in regularly with friends.

One said: “Neil is very respectful towards women. I have never experienced anything that has caused me concern.”

Mr Chadwick also described the impact the trial had on him, saying he suffered from anxiety and had difficulty understanding some of the documents presented to him.

The Committee is chaired by Commissioner Alan Binnington.

The process is expected to be completed today.