A PUB-GOER is accused of grabbing and squeezing a stranger’s breast before beating up her friend, a trial has heard.

Bryan Mutahi, of Preachers Lane, Oxford, has been charged with one count each of sexual assault and assault by beating.

The 29-year-old is accused of grabbing a woman’s breast in the Old Tom pub in St Aldate’s, Oxford on March 14, 2022.

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A man who was at the pub with the woman then struck Mutahi who in turn pushed and hit the man – resulting in the assault by beating charge which the defendant has pleaded guilty to.

However, he has denied the count of sexual assault, stating he had touched the woman but it was accidental.

He is now on trial at Oxford Crown Court.

During the proceedings on Tuesday (August 13), Mutahi was cross-examined by the prosecuting barrister about the incident.

When asked to clarify what his defence case is, Mutahi said: “I know I touched her but I can’t say if I did touch her breasts…I just brushed past her.”

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The prosecuting barrister pointed out that in his defence statement, the defendant admitted to touching the woman’s breast but stated it was an accident.

When asked to clarify in the dock if had touched her breast or not, Mutahi repeatedly started: “I just brushed past her.”

He told the jury he had reached his arm out towards the woman to ‘steady himself’ on her chair.

When asked why his palm was allegedly opened and faced towards the woman, the defendant said: “My only intention was to use the chair to turn left, that was my only intention.”

The defendant said he had left his seat to head to the bar but had changed his mind and decided to go to the toilet instead.

“I decided to use the toilet,” he said. “I decided to use the loo and then come back and get a drink.”

When asked if had walked back intentionally, the defendant said: “No I had nothing to do with them the whole time.

Asked about the assault charge, he was asked why he pleaded guilty to the offence.

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Mutahi said: “I could see that I took it took it too far. At one point it was self-defence, but I can admit that I took it too far.”

Concluding the evidence, the prosecuting barrister said: “The truth is you’re making it up as you go along.”

Mutahi replied: “No, no chance.”

The jury retired to deliberate on their verdicts on Tuesday afternoon (August 13).