A WOMAN told a court yesterday that a man climbed into her bed and raped her, then fell asleep.

She said that at the age of 16 she was living in a hostel for the homeless and was starving when she phoned Barry Mays and asked him to collect her.

He took her to his bachelor home and made her tea before they watched television, Teesside Crown Court heard.

She said that she was on the sofa and sensed that he was making advances when he tried to join her.

She told him that she was exhausted and he replied that she could have his bed. But an hour later, as she lay in bed in her underwear, he climbed in with her.

She said he then raped her, and added: "I was stunned, I did not do anything towards him. Finally, he fell asleep."

Ten years later, Mr Mays, 54, was arrested in April, after the woman went to the police, said Christine Egerton, prosecuting. He denied the offence, saying that she was making it up, the court heard. He also denied taking her to his house.

Mr Mays of Redcar Road, Guisborough, east Cleveland, denies rape and three earlier assaults. The case continues.