A YOUNG woman was allegedly beaten up and raped twice at a house in Burnley, after a girls’ night out, a jury heard.

The town’s crown court was told how the alleged victim, said to be ‘quite drunk’ and to have taken cocaine, was subjected to a barrage of blows by Daniel Nigel Thomas, who then made her commit a sex act on him and had intercourse with her.

She feared further violence if she resisted and later fled by jumping out of a window.

Thomas, 22, had been released from jail just days before the early hours attack after serving time for assault.

He was arrested after the alleged victim made her way to a taxi office in just her bra and trousers.

On questioning, he claimed he had pushed the woman and she had banged her head, but that the sex was consensual.

Thomas, of Walshaw Street, Burnley, denies two counts of rape, last June.

Lisa Roberts, prosecuting, told the jury between 2009 and 2010, Thomas appeared in court three times, admitted assault, and was jailed.

The alleged victim, who would say she had had a lot to drink and a line of cocaine, went to a house in the early hours.

The defendant repeatedly hit her in the face and arms.

She had sex with him fearing further violence.

Miss Roberts said the woman fled to a nearby taxi office at about 3am or 4am and claimed she had been beaten.

The police were called. The woman was taken to hospital and on the way told officers the defendant had forced himself on her sexually.

She was found to have black eyes, a cut behind her ear, swelling to her head and bruises from her wrist to her elbow.

Thomas claimed the alleged victim had been drunk and he had pushed her, but the sex was consensual.

He said he couldn’t understand why she was making the allegations and that she must have been injured in a fight.

(proceeding).

Comments unavailable on this story for legal reasons.