A 35-year-old man who denies rape said he stopped when he was asked by the alleged victim. 

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

He 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 previously told.

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

Mr Renvoize questioned why the defendant told the jury he used a condom but in his defence statement said he had not used one.

Espirito-Santo, who has a Portuguese translator for the trial, told the court: “I think I understood something else. I’m just feeling nervous now. I’ve never been in court in my life and I’m just a bit nervous.”

Under further questioning from Mr Renvoize the defendant said, “when she wanted to stop I stopped”.

Espirito-Santo denied when asked if he was rough with the victim during sex.

 Mr Renvoize asked why he had told police the victim had cried when he had denied she had.

“I saw it was like she was crying and I asked her what was happening and she said everything is ok” said Espirito-Santo.

The trial continues.