THE jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a man accused of rape.

Michael Kinfe Tewelde denies pushing the alleged victim to the ground and raping him as he walked through a North East nature reserve.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told Teesside Crown Court how he had offered to smoke a cannabis joint with his alleged attacker while he was walking near the Maze Park Nature Reserve, in Middlesbrough, at around 7.30pm on Thursday, April 29 this year.

Tewelde, of Leeds Street, central Stockton, pleaded not guilty to the allegation of rape.

Jurors at Teesside Crown Court heard how the alleged victim was left traumatised by the attack.

Initially, Tewelde denied any sexual activity had taken place as he was too 'ashamed' to admit the sex was consensual.

The married father-of-two said it was the complainant who made the sexual advances towards him.

In the prosecution's closing speech, Jonathan Walker, said Tewelde's version of events was 'highly unlikely'.

The trial continues.

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