A MAN has gone on trial accused of raping a 16-year-old girl as she slept.

Michael Moors, aged 19, of Cromwell Road, Dorchester, denies the offence which is alleged to have taken place last June.

A jury at Dorchester Crown Court heard the alleged offence took place at Moors’ home after the girl, who is now 17, fell asleep as they watched a film in the early hours.

The jury was shown a recording of a police interview with the victim, in which she said she was half-asleep and alleged that Moors, who was 18 at the time, started touching her and lay on top of her.

She said she woke up to find he was pulling up her underwear.

Rufus Taylor, prosecuting, told the court that after initially denying the offence when confronted by the victim, Moors then admitted he had done it and that if he had woke her up, “she would have said no.”

The girl gave evidence to the court and during cross-examination Robert Griffiths, defending, suggested she had forced Moors into saying he had raped her, after she refused to accept his explanation that he performed a sex act on himself as she slept. The girl denied this.

The case continues today.