A FORMER Worcester man has gone on trial accused of raping a woman.

Jason Froggat, aged 38, allegedly told police: “It’s not rape if she just lies there.”

Froggat, now of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, denies common assault on April 8 this year and a second charge of raping her on the same date. He has admitted a third charge of assaulting the woman.

Tina Landale, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said the attack and rape took place in Barrow in the early hours of the morning after Froggat lost his temper.

He had ordered the woman to take her clothes off and get into bed.

Miss Landale said: “He just lost it and went to hit her and told her to shut up. She put her hand up to deflect the blow.”

After the attack, Froggat is alleged to have raped the woman before punching her in the mouth, causing damage to her face and lip. He has admitted that assault.

Miss Landale said the woman managed to dial 999 but was afraid to talk in case she was overheard. The police arrived and Froggat was arrested.

The victim told police she feared she would be hurt more if she put up a fight.

“I knew exactly what he was aiming to do,” she said. “I just turned round and I said no and I kicked him in the chest with my feet. All I could think of was if I fight he’s going to hurt more.”

Froggat told the jury he had been feeling depressed at the time of the alleged assault because it had been the 20th anniversary of an incident in which he was badly burned.

He had been asleep in a caravan when he was doused in petrol and set alight. He suffered third degree burns to 28 per cent of his body and his hands were badly disfigured.

As a result he had been prescribed anti-depressants, painkillers and Valium.

At the time of the alleged rape, Froggat, who accepts having a drink problem, was staying with a friend in Barrow. He had taken heroin and and drunk seven cans of lager, but was not drunk.

“I was just trying to mask my feelings really,” he told the court.

He admitted insulting the woman, about which he said he felt “terrible”.

But he said the woman had voluntarily removed her underwear and had consented to sex.

“We kissed a bit and then started having sex,” he said.

The trial continues.