AN alleged rape victim fled from her own home and sought refuge in a nearby shop, a court heard.

Thirty-six year-old Darren Andrew Sandbach was accused of “turning into a monster” as he turned on the woman during a cannabis and alcohol-fuelled attack, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is said to have ran to a convenience store, dressed in just a bra and top, to seek help, after the incident on May 9.

An investigation was launched by police, jurors were told, where the woman also claimed she had been raped by the same man on New Year’s Day 2016.

Police arrested Sandbach in the early hours of May 10 and he told officers he had little recollection of the previous night, having drunk seven cans of strong lager and smoked two cannabis joints.

Sandbach said he could not recall having sex with the woman and could offer no explanation as to why she may have accused him of rape.

Prosecutor Alaric Bassano said on May 9 the couple met up but it was apparent Sandbach had been drinking and smoking cannabis. According to the woman the couple had consensual sex later that evening, before falling asleep.

But at one point during the night she fell out of bed and onto the floor. As she tried to get up Sandbach, whose “demeanour had completely changed” is alleged to have pinned her to the floor.

Then despite her protests that she did not want to have sex in those circumstances, he raped her, the court heard.

Mr Bassano said he threatened to kill her if she told anyone what had happened.

Jurors were also shown a hospital ‘body map’, which was said to demonstrate how the alleged victim suffered a number of small bruises to her arms and body, during the attack.

Sandbach, of Hillside Road, Haslingden, denies two offences of rape. The trial continues.