A MAN who denies raping a woman sent a Whatsapp messages to the alleged victim, in which he admitted it, a court has heard.

Bryan Sheridan, of Conduit Hill, Evesham, denies four charges - two counts of rape, assault by penetration when the victim had not consented and attempting to assault by penetration when the victim did not consent.

The 34-year-old's trial at Worcester Crown Court began on Monday with the jury of eight men and four women being sworn in.

The jury heard the alleged victim attended a friend's party in Malvern, on Boxing Day, 2018, where she had drunk heavily before returning to her home with Sheridan and having another drink, before going to sleep.

The complainant alleges she was then raped by Sheridan and did not give consent to the sexual activity as she was asleep at the time.

In cross examination on Tuesday, Michael Anning, defending Sheridan, said: "I suggest you were in a sexual mood that night, weren't you?"

The woman replied "no".

"Perhaps because of the drink you had consumed?"

The complainant replied "no".

"Everything sexual that happened between the two of you that night was consensual wasn't it?" Mr Anning said.

Again she replied "no".

The court was told about a number of subsequent messages sent between the pair.

In one the alleged victim had said to Sheridan that she had been "wasted" and "not with it and not awake" when the sexual activity took place, adding: "I admit right at the end I was."

Mr Anning put it to the complainant that she had hung the threat of going to the police over Sheridan to which the alleged victim agreed she had done that.

In another message exchange, read to the court, the woman said to Sheridan: "Would you admit it is rape to me?

"I can't feel anything, I just feel numb."

In reply Sheridan wrote: "OK I raped you."

Mr Anning said: "That Whatsapp message from him comes after a number of exchanges between you and him doesn't it?"

"Yes," the woman replied.

"After a number of messages you were blowing hot and cold?" Mr Anning said.

"Yes," the complainant replied.

"What you had said is you want him to say he had raped you, and then you would move on?"

"Yes," the complaint said.

"And if he didn't do that you would go to the police?" Mr Anning asked.

"I didn't mean that but yes I did say that," the alleged victim replied.

Prosecutor Caroline Goodwin QC later read out a message from the alleged victim to Sheridan in which she wrote: "Trust me Bryan I would ruin your life, like you did mine".

"It has been suggested to you that is what you are trying to do, trying to ruin Bryan's life - the suggestion is you are telling lies about this," the prosecutor said.

Holding back tears the woman replied: "I'm telling the truth".

The trial continues.