A MAN has gone on trial accused of raping a woman in Crawley.

Ben Tidy, of St Gerards Close, Lambeth, London, is accused of assaulting a female over the age of 13 by penetration with part of a body.

The charge states that the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not consent and the defendant did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The offence is alleged to have taken place in Crawley on March 14, 2013.

Tidy, 29, is also accused of raping a woman of 16 years of age or over in Crawley on the same date, with the charge stating the victim did not consent and the defendant did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

He denies both charges.

The trial, before his Honour David Rennie, continues.