A man has gone on trial accused of raping two women in the north-east.
Taylor Smith, 20, is alleged to have raped the women at addresses in northern Aberdeenshire between October 2017 and July 2018.
He is also accused of sexually assaulting both of the women on separate occasions and attempting to rape a third woman.
As the trial got under way yesterday at the High Court in Aberdeen, the jury of six women and nine men heard evidence from the woman who Smith is alleged to have attempted to rape.
Under questioning from advocate depute James Keegan QC, she told the court about an incident in Smith’s car when he asked her to perform a sex act on him.
Mr Keegan asked the woman what her reaction was to the request and she said: “I said no.”
She went on to tell the court Smith repeated the request and when she declined again he “tried to force” her head towards his genitals.
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Reading from a statement the woman gave to police, Mr Keegan said: “‘He also used his fingers to try and open my mouth.’ Do you see that?”
She replied: “Yes.”
Cross-examining the witness, defence counsel Edith Forrest made reference to her telling police there had been some kissing and consensual sexual touching prior to the incident.
Ms Forrest added: “That was the end of it, wasn’t it? That’s all that happened that night.”
She also suggested there had been no request for a sex act to be performed.
The woman replied: “There was.”
One of the women allegedly raped and sexually assaulted also began her evidence.
Under questioning from Mr Keegan she told the court: “He got on top of me and was touching me. I did try telling him to get off.”
The trial, before Judge Buchanan, continues.
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