A man has told Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding’s rape trial that he thought their alleged victim was upset because she'd been rejected by Mr. Jackson.
The Ireland and Ulster rugby players are accused of raping a 19-year-old student at his Belfast home in June 2016.
The fourth defendant in this trial – Rory Harrison from Manse Road in Belfast is accused of perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
He, like his three friends who are also in the dock, decided to give evidence in defence of the allegations made against him and he did so today.
At an afters party in Paddy Jackson’s house, he said he saw the complainant staring at Mr. Jackson. He said he also saw her follow him upstairs.
When asked why he thought she was upset when he later brought her home in a taxi, he said he thought she’d maybe been rejected by Paddy.
When she sent him a text to say what happened last night was “not consensual” he told the court he didn't believe her.
He said he didn't tell Paddy about it because he didn't want to worry him with something he had no faith in being true.
He denied trying to hide anything or trying to conceal anything and he said he didn't concoct a story with his friends.
The jurors were sent home a bit early after a legal issue arose and were asked to return to court at 2 o’clock on Monday afternoon.
