A DORCHESTER teenager has taken to the witness box to defend himself against allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl.

Michael Ashley Moors, of Cromwell Road, is standing trial at Dorchester Crown Court.

The 19-year-old denies claims that he raped his victim as she slept on the night of June 16 last year. Giving evidence to the jury, Moors said that the couple had been in bed together and started to engage in consensual sexual activity.

His barrister Robert Griffiths asked: “Did you think at any stage that she was asleep or not interested?”

Moors replied: “No, because if she wasn’t interested she would tell me to stop.”

He said he did not get an impression she was asleep.

Moors, 18 at the time of the alleged offence, said the girl did eventually fall asleep but denied that he had had sexual intercourse with her while she slept.

Mr Griffiths asked: “Did you on that night have sex with her while she was asleep.”

The defendant replied: “No.”

The case continues.