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Young woman sexually assaulted by man claiming to be solicitor, jury told

Canterbury Crown Court
Canterbury Crown Court

A 20-year-old Whitstable woman was subjected to a terrifying sex assault – by a man who claimed to be a solicitor, a jury has heard.

She was attacked after leaving The Wall Tavern in the town last December, it was alleged.

Michael Brock, of Cornwallis Circle, Whitstable, has pleaded not guilty to attempted rape and sexual assault.

Oliver Saxby, prosecuting, told the jury at Canterbury Crown Court how the girl claimed she was subjected to an "extremely serious, violent and frightening sexual assault" as she made her way home.

He said she had been with friends and family in Weatherspoons in Whitstable before going to the Wall Tavern to meet other friends.

He said: "Also in the pub was the defendant who caught the attention of the group because of the way he was behaving.

"One of the girls claimed later: 'We soon noticed this guy. He was alone and a bit weird. He was looking over at us and pretended to catch a kiss and to put it in his pocket. I guessed he was drunk.'"

A little while later, when one of the group went to buy a drink, Brock is alleged to have "hit on them" - offering to buy the whole group a drink.

The girl claimed Brock said he worked at a solicitor's in the High Street, that he was studying law at university and that he was going to be a barrister next year.

The prosecution allege Brock asked to walk home the 20-year-old, who gave him "the minimalist hug possible" as they parted.

She claimed: "He asked for a proper hug. I didn't want to be near him, but I didn’t want to anger him."

"he asked for a proper hug. i didn't want to be near him, but i didn’t want to anger him…” – alleged victim of michael brock

Brock is then alleged to have tried to kiss the girl, but she pushed him away and started to run – but he caught up with her and subjected her to "a terrifying ordeal", the jury was told.

She claimed she grabbed his penis to hurt Brock, saying: "I remember when he had me against the car, I was trying, like, make him think that I would go without a fight which is when my hand went down.

"And then I thought: 'Right, if he thinks I’m gonna do something nice...' but I didn't – I tried to injure him."

Mr Saxby claimed the girl – barefoot and naked from the waist down - then ran home and alerted her mother.

The girl was later taken to Canterbury police station and examined by a surgeon, who found she had scratches and bruises to her hands, arms and knees, the jury heard.

Brock was later arrested and claimed he was the victim of an assault by two men as he walked home.

He is alleged to have told officers: "I walked home and these f****** assaulted me. I did nothing with her. She is dirt. I didn’t touch her.

"Even if I get a caution, this is the end of my life. I can’t become a solicitor."

Brock later told police he had drunk 12 pints of beer between 3pm and midnight that night.

The trial continues.

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