Campus sex trial: Jury hears closing speeches

THE jury in the trial of three college rugby players accused of sexually assaulting a student have heard the closing speeches from the barristers in the case.

The men are accused of taking part in group sex with a woman at Bishop Burton College against her will.

The woman told the jury at Hull Crown Court 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.

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.

All three men claim it was consensual.

Prosecutor John Thackray told the jury in his closing speech: "You are dealing with an 18-year-old girl who was naive – not a porn star.

"There is clear and compelling evidence in her account, supported by her neighbour, that you can count on."

He said it was in contrast to the "obvious lies" told by the men who "orchestrated a cover-up".

Thomas Price's barrister Paul Genney told them that the men were "cruel" but it was consensual. He said: "There is nothing worse than laughter after a sexual encounter. There is nothing more hurtful, demeaning and cruel.

"What this is is evidence that they are idiots. There is laughing, but there is no screaming and there are no injuries."

Stephen Johnson's barrister Anil Murray said the girl claimed she was sexually assaulted to "save" her reputation. He claimed she was trying to "save a bit of face".

He told the jury: "If sex involved more than two people, it is easy to see how afterwards you might feel terrible and want to block out the memory and turn back the clock but that doesn't mean it was sexual assault, does it?

"There was another ingredient in this unhappy sex cocktail and that was drink.

"It was not a cherished experience, it was regretted. Did they behave like gentlemen? No, they certainly didn't. They left the room laughing. It was not gallant but it was not a sex assault."

"If Stephen Johnson had made this plan from the outset and taken sexual advantage of her, why did he take his shoes off?

"There are plenty of doubts here and the correct verdict is one of not guilty."

William Robinson's barrister Brigit Bailey suggested the girl was having a "good time".

She said: "I'm suggesting to you that on the evidence you have heard during this trial, you cannot be sure that she didn't consent.

"You have seen the DVD, does it look like a girl threatened and frightened or does it look like a girl having a good time who is smiling and joking?

"Is it a case where she thinks 'Oh, what have I done? It will go round college like wildfire?' so she thinks 'I better do something about it'."

The men deny the charges and the trial continues.