A woman was allegedly raped by a man who offered her a lift home from a Christmas night out, a jury has heard.

Takeaway worker Turgay Denli, 29, has gone on trial at Carlisle Crown Court, where he denies allegations he raped and sexually assaulted the woman in the early hours of December 23 last year.

Opening the case, prosecutor Tim Evans said the alleged victim had gone into Workington with friends on the evening of December 22.

“They were on a Christmas night out and were drinking throughout that night and into the early hours of the next morning,” said Mr Evans.

In one bar the woman had talked with two men, including Denli. Later on, the licensee of that premises reported seeing her at closing time.

She was “extremely drunk”.

“The landlady said she was incapable of standing, walking and barely able to talk,” said Mr Evans.

Thereafter, she and a friend were offered a lift to their respective homes by Denli, the court heard.

“She says her friend having been dropped off, he (Denli) parked the car and raped her despite her protests,” Mr Evans alleged.

Denli had allegedly told the woman: “You’re not going home yet.”

“She was repeatedly telling the defendant, that she didn’t want sex with him. She wanted to be taken home,” Mr Evans said.

“She said he was forceful. Her arms were at her side. She felt floppy and weak, and she just looked out of the window.”

The woman, who later attended hospital, had tried to flee the car but found the door locked.

Denli, previously of King Street, Workington, was arrested on suspicion of rape at about lunchtime on Christmas Eve.

He reportedly said to an officer: “Is this about Friday? You give people a lift home and this is what you get.”

Mr Evans told jurors: “He says that no offence of rape, no indecent assault occurred.”

Denli had insisted the woman was a “willing and active participant”.

Nor did Denli, when interviewed by police, believe she was heavily intoxicated at the end of that night.

“He said he knew the difference between drunk and sober, and continued to say she didn’t seem drunk to him,” Mr Evans said.

“He said sex was consensual between them.”

The trial continues.