'I was suspended for reporting rape', student tells trial

A YOUNG woman was suspended from college after accusing fellow students of rape and sexual assault, a court heard.

Three men have gone on trial at Hull Crown Court accused of abusing the woman on campus at Bishop Burton College.

The alleged victim, who is in her late teens, gave evidence to say she was told to leave the college after reporting the men to staff.

The court heard she was then forced to tell her parents why she had left.

The woman told the jury her parents persuaded her to report it to the police after she received a letter from the college recommending she be excluded.

"I told the college I had been sexually assaulted but I didn't give the details of what had happened, I just gave them an outline," she said.

"The college said I had brought it into disrepute by having sexual actions with a group of people.

"A couple of days later they recommended that I was excluded.

"I was upset about it and my mum persuaded me to go to the police."

The court heard a senior member of staff at the college interviewed the alleged victim and sent her a letter which read: "I'm writing to confirm you have received a recommendation for exclusion from the college for bringing the college into disrepute by demeaning sexual actions with a group of people."

The offences are alleged to have taken place last September.

Thomas Price, 21, of Rotherham, is accused of rape and assault by penetration, Stephen Johnson, 21, of Scotts Garth Close, Tickton, is accused of sexual assault and assault by penetration and William Robinson, 20, of Doncaster, is accused of assault by penetration.

The woman told the jury all three befriended her outside the college, took her keys and pushed her into her room, where they sexually assaulted her.

She then claims they left laughing. The three men claim she consented to what happened, the court heard.

Prosecutor John Thackray said: "The Crown say these three defendants, in drink, took advantage of her and took advantage of her knowing it was without consent.

"The prosecution say it was obvious to all three defendants that she was not consenting at any time.

"She was suspended from the college and following that the complainant reported the matter to the police."

Her friend reported what had happened to the college and an investigation was launched.

She was asked to name the men by the college and told the jury she searched Facebook to identify her alleged attackers.

Mr Price's barrister Paul Genney suggested to her: "You went perfectly willingly with those men and everything that happened with them was done with consent.

"I suggest you were angry with them for walking off and laughing and you were upset and hurt.

"You got a crime number from the police so it would back up your appeal to the college."

Mr Johnson's barrister Anil Murray asked her if she would have reported the matter if the college had not suspended her.

She replied: "I don't know what would have happened."

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the men approaching the alleged victim as she smoked outside the college that night.

The woman alleges they pushed her into her room but the defence suggests she was smiling and going with the men willingly.

The defendants deny the charges and the trial continues.