Saintfield man on trial for rape of woman

Saintfield man on trial for rape of woman

30 November 2011

A SAINTFIELD man has gone on trial for the rape of a woman in Bangor eight years ago.

Hugh Francis Patrick Flynn (32) of Killyleagh Road denies a single count of raping a woman in June 2003.

His trial at Downpatrick Crown Court, which began hearing evidence last Tuesday, was told the victim had met Mr. Flynn at a bar in Bangor on a Saturday night.

After the alleged offence was reported to police the same night, a photo fit image was issued and television and newspaper appeals launched, but no information was forthcoming.

It was not until Mr. Flynn was questioned over minor motoring matters last December that it was discovered his DNA matched that of the alleged rapist.

The alleged victim was 19 

at the time and was “chatted 

up” by Mr. Flynn inside Jenny Watts nightclub where she was socialising with a number of friends.

After going outside towards the end of the evening, she and Mr. Flynn walked to the area now known as the Eisenhower Pier where the attack took place on a bench.

She told the court he pulled at her clothing when she tried to leave and tried to get off the bench but her leg had become jammed. She said she told him to leave her alone and to stop.

The alleged victim, now 27, said that although she had kissed the defendant inside the nightclub, she made it clear that sexual intercourse was not consented to and told him to stop before and during the incident.

After what she said felt “like hours”, the woman walked quickly away from the area, bumping into two friends who took her in a taxi to another friend’s house.

At hearing.