A WOMAN was raped in a Worcester park as she made her way home from a party, a jury was told.

She was pounced on from behind near a children's play area and forced to the ground face down, where her lower clothing was ripped down.

The terrified victim was then raped in Gheluvelt Park, Barbourne, for 10 minutes with her attacker repeatedly telling her he was "sorry", Worcester Crown Court was told yesterday.

She arrived home in a distressed state, leaving her shoes and trousers at the scene.

William Rickarby, prosecuting, said a DNA sample of semen found on her matched the profile of 28-year-old Richard Bawden.

A scientist concluded only one person in a billion would have the same profile.

Mr Rickarby said the suspect was in the vicinity shortly before the attack and was picked out on a police identity parade by two witnesses.

Bawden, of Hillside, Kempsey, denies rape on August 27 last year.

The woman, who got drunk at the party, split up from her partner following a disagreement on the way home walking through the park alone, the jury heard.

Her attacker held her down with his arms across her shoulders and said: "It will be all right if you do what I say."

The victim decided not to struggle because she feared for her life.

Afterwards, she turned around and saw a white male standing by her feet, fastening his trousers. He ran off to a gate in Barbourne Lane.

A witness heard a woman say "I just want to go home" and at 11.22pm saw a man running away. He was stocky with dark hair swept back in a ponytail.

Mr Rickarby said Thomas Hill, 18, claimed he was in the park with Bawden until after 11pm, drinking and smoking.

Bawden allegedly walked into the city centre and was picked up by his father after making a phone call.

Arrested on August 30, he disputed the DNA evidence and insisted he left the park early afternoon after drinking cider with a friend.

In a statement read to the jury, the victim said she left the party drunk and remembered being forced into grass face down.

She cried out a number of times in pain during the attack. "I heard him say I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. He got off me and said I'm sorry again and again."

When her attacker left, she sat on the ground crying. Then she stumbled home and her partner alerted police.

The trial continues.