A MAN is on trial accused of repeatedly raping a prostitute in an Oxford tower block.
Zelalem Netsanet, of Peregrine Road, Blackbird Leys, denies three counts of raping the woman in Hockmore Tower, Cowley.
The alleged victim told jurors yesterday she had turned to prostitution to fund her crack-cocaine habit and had smoked two crack pipes before the incident on April 5.
Netsanet, 24, admits having consensual sex with the woman in the stairwell of the flats.
Under cross-examination at Oxford Crown Court the woman said parts of her initial police statements were false, but denied initiating sex.
The woman said she was orally raped for “20 minutes” and Netsanet left her for “two or three minutes” before resuming the attack.
Asked by defence barrister Peter Du Feu why she did not run away in that time, she said: “Because I was getting my phone, I thought I would get through.” Asked again, she added: “Because I had my bike there. By the time I got my coat he was back.”
Jurors heard the woman made phone calls between 4.37am and 4.49am and was seen on CCTV leaving the flats shortly after 5am.
The trial continues.
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