Footballer Ched Evans is currently on trial at Cardiff Crown Court charged with raping a 19-year-old at a North Wales hotel.
Crown prosecutor Simon Medland QC, who opened the case last Tuesday, told the jury: "The real heart of this case is the issue of consent."
The alleged incident took place at a Premier Inn hotel in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, in the early hours of Monday, May 30, 2011.
The court heard Evans was on a night out with friends including Clayton McDonald.
Mr McDonald was found not guilty of rape by a jury following a previous trial at Caernarfon Crown Court.
Evans was allowed to appeal his conviction and this is the re-trial.
The alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 19 at the time and went out to Zu Bar in Rhyl with friends after work.
Prosecutors allege she was too drunk to consent to sex.
Evans claims the woman was having intercourse with Mr McDonald, who asked: "Can my mate join in?"
The defence team submit the woman did consent to sex with the defendant.
Jury told of re-trial
The jury were told during the opening that this is a re-trial.
Ched Evans and his friend Clayton McDonald were previously on trial at Caernarfon Crown Court, charged separately with rape.
Mr McDonald was found not guilty by the jury.
Evans was convicted and subsequently allowed to appeal his conviction.
This is a re-trial of the case.
Prosecution case opened on Tuesday
Simon Medland QC opened the prosecution case on Tuesday, October 4.
He told the jury: “Rape is an emotive subject.
“Many people, even unconsciously, carry certain preconceptions in their mind about what rape is, or what a rapist looks like or behaves like, or how a victim should or should not behave.
“I am going to ask you to put aside any such preconceptions which you might have in your minds and decide this case on the evidence.”
Recap of last week
Here’s a recap from last week.
Ched Evans, 27, denies rape and is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
The Crown is represented by prosecutor Simon Medland QC, assisted by John Philpotts.
Evans is represented by Judith Khan QC, assisted by David Emanuel.
The case is before Mrs Justice Nicola Davies and is being heard by a jury of five men ans seven women.
Jury to sit at 12pm
Mrs Justice Davies has just entered the courtroom and indicated that the jury will sit at 12pm.
In the meantime, some legal matters are being discussed.
Day four about to start
This is the fourth day of Ched Evans’ trial at Cardiff Crown Court. The hearing before Mrs Justice Nicola Davies is due to start at 10.30am.
Our court reporter Liz Day will be sending live updates when today’s proceedings get underway.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-footballer-ched-evans-rape-12001621
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