A TAXI driver yesterday denied raping a mother-of-one after driving her home.

The woman had been out drinking with friends in Darlington town centre when she got into a taxi to go home in the early hours of October 21.

Teesside Crown Court heard she had been clubbing at the Escapade nightclub, in Gladstone Street, before going to the United taxi office to order a cab.

She was picked up in a white minibus by David Briggs and driven to her home in the North Road area, where the attack is alleged to have taken place.

Mr Briggs, 33, of Kexwith Moor Close, Darlington, has pleaded not guilty to rape and alleges the woman consented to sex.

The prosecution said the defendant laughed at his victim as she tried to get away before raping her in her kitchen.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said the mother, who cannot be named, had visited several pubs with friends before going to Escapade to meet her boyfriend.

She left the club alone after having an argument with her partner and got into the taxi.

When she was dropped off at her house ten minutes later, the woman went into her hallway and turned around to see the defendant standing behind her.

Mr Dodds said: "She tried to push him away. He took hold of her hands. She recalls slumping on the floor.

"She tried to crawl away but the defendant laughed and said 'What are you doing crawling on the floor?'

"She was crying and shouting 'no'. The prosecution then say he raped her."

The court heard the woman had consumed a lot of alcohol and tests showed she was at least two-and-a-half times over the legal limit to drive.

The trial continues.