A 35-year-old Ipswich man accused of raping a woman grabbed her by the neck and by her hair during the alleged attack, a court has heard.

Abdulay Espirito-Santo and the women had kissed before he allegedly lifted up her dress and removed her underwear before pushing her on to a bed and raping her, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

He had also allegedly grabbed her round the neck and by her hair and bit her on the neck, said Edward Renvoize, prosecuting.

Espirito-Santo, who is of Rendlesham Road in Ipswich, has denied raping the woman orally and vaginally and assaulting her causing her actual bodily harm in 2021.

Mr Renvoize, told the jury on Monday that the case had taken so long to come to Ipswich Crown Court because of delays in the criminal justice system.

He said that the woman was drunk when she went to Espirito-Santo’s home in the early hours of the morning.

The couple had kissed and she had asked him if he had any condoms.

He told her he had not got any and he had then allegedly grabbed her round the neck and pulled her hair when she tried to get away from him.

During the alleged incident the woman had allegedly told Espirito-Santo to "stop" and to "get off" her.

When Espirito-Santo stopped having sex with the woman he had allegedly asked her why she was crying, said Mr Renvoize.

The court heard that when the woman was medically examined she was found to have bruising on her neck consistent with her being grabbed round the neck and injuries to her vagina.

Espirito-Santo told police he had consensual sex with the woman and said he had grabbed her hair because she asked him to do it.

He claimed the woman told him she wanted to have his children.

The trial continues.