THE jury in the case of a teenage soldier accused of raping a schoolgirl is expected to retire to consider its verdict today.
James McGratton, 19, of Marne Barracks, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, has denied raping the girl in June last year.
The girl alleged Mr McGratton asked her to go to his room in the barracks to help tidy it up ready for an inspection the next morning, and then he raped her.
Yesterday, Christine Egerton, for Mr McGratton, asked the jury to consider that if the girl had made up the story it might be difficult for her to go back on it now.
Miss Egerton said: "She might weep, not because she is reliving a violent rape, but because she is in a complete state, having to continue with the charade. This case is essentially her word against his."
The trial continues.
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