Croydon man on trial for rape denies claims

Edward McGrath, 36, of Ross Road in Croydon, is on trial at Basildon Crown Court accused of raping and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman. Jurors heard an interview McGrath gave to Essex Police in which he stated the alleged victim and her friends were "making it up as they go" and "must have a problem."

McGrath, also known as Paddy, told officers that any sexual activity was consensual and that the woman "was loving it". He claimed they met hours earlier at The Last Post, a Wetherspoon’s pub in Southend, and that the woman kissed and fondled him after they left. He told police she was "near paralytic" by the time they reached his car, requiring him to lift her in as "dead weight."

CCTV footage shown to the court depicted the woman being carried back to her flat over a friend's shoulder. McGrath told police the woman later woke up, and they engaged in consensual sex, describing it as "making love" after initial "cuddles" and a "little chat."

Prosecution's Case

Prosecutor Cyrus Shroff told jurors that the woman was incapacitated by alcohol or a spiked drink when McGrath and his friend Christopher Stannard entered her home. Stannard, 38, formerly of Brooke House, Basildon, has pleaded guilty to burglary of the woman's flat. McGrath denies the sexual assault charges.

The woman woke the next morning with no recollection of returning home or subsequent events. Essex Police were alerted after building CCTV showed Stannard and McGrath entering the flat around 1.30am and not leaving until hours later.

Contradictory Statements

During his police interview, McGrath denied claims that he had taken or sold cocaine at the pub. However, when giving evidence in court under oath, he admitted to snorting £40 or £50 worth of cocaine and giving some to a friend of the complainant. He maintained he did not sell cocaine to any of the women.

A friend of the alleged victim stated that McGrath and the complainant disappeared during their walk to the car. She reported finding her friend with leggings down and McGrath close behind, and that the complainant appeared not to recognise her and was unable to pull up her own leggings.

McGrath denied noticing the complainant's leggings were down but recalled the friend shouting at him, which he described as "her just trying to put her bit in" and stated, "Everyone's just made something, and I've done nothing."

The trial continues.