A WOMAN was sexually assaulted by a man during an after party at her home while she was asleep in her bed, a court heard.

***TRIAL UPDATE: The defendant in this case was later found to be not guilty of the charge by a unanimous jury decision, and was not convicted of any offense.***

Matthew Seaward, 41, of Rogers Street, Oxford, denies one count of sexual assault.

As his trial at Oxford Crown Court got under way yesterday prosecutors told jurors the alleged assault took place at an address in the city after a night out in East Oxford in June last year.

Outlining the case prosecutor Jonathan Stone said that the alleged victim had been out with friends in pubs around Cowley Road.

As the night came to an end, he said, the woman went back to her home together with a group of others to continue the party.

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He said that Seaward was among their number and that after the woman went to her room to sleep she awoke to find him 'sexually touching' her over her clothing.

Jurors went on to watch a video recorded interview in which the woman detailed what she claims happened to her to police.

She said that when she woke up she found Seaward lying next to her and sexually assaulting her. She said on realising what was happening she began shouting at him and telling him to leave.

She added that she started to 'hyperventilate' and couldn't remember much of the moments that followed.

Recalling how she felt about the incident she told police: "It makes me feel a little sick to be quite honest.

"I feel really, really violated. I know I have not been raped or anything like that but [...] that is my space in my room.

"That is supposed to be my space and I am bloody asleep so people should not do that."

Jurors were also told that when interviewed by police Seaward accepted going into the room and going on to the bed but denies sexually assaulting her.

The trial continues.

***TRIAL UPDATE: The defendant in this case was later found to be not guilty of the charge by a unanimous jury decision, and was not convicted of any offense.***