Rape trial begins

The trial for a Whanganui man accused of rape began in the Whanganui District Court this week.

The man, who has name suppression, denies four counts of sexual violation - two by rape and two by unlawful sexual connection.

The complainant gave evidence on Tuesday, describing a situation where she felt increasingly pressured into sex with the defendant, as well as sex acts she did not want to do.

She described having consensual sex on one occasion, and then having the defendant place his arm across her chest and holding her down, leaving bruises.

"I was really scared because it was really hurting," she said.

She could not remember saying anything to him about it at the time.

The woman described other times where she would wake up to find the man already having sex with her.

She also described occasions where the defendant allegedly held her down and forced her into a type of intercourse she did not want to do, as she repeatedly said "no".

"He was murmuring to me all the time . . . he kept saying 'good girl, good girl'."

Another time she described finding a cord or "string" tied around the casters of the bed, with "nooses" on the ends.

She didn't know what they were for and questioned whether they were for tying her up with, though the topic was never brought up with the defendant.

Defence lawyer Peter Brosnahan will begin cross examination on Wednesday.

The trial continues before Judge Chris Sygrove.