Student's 'shock' at rape claim

A STUDENT accused of sexually assaulting a university cheerleader told a jury he thought their encounter had been "a normal one night stand".

Christopher Brown, 21, told the High Court in Livingston yesterday that he was "completely shocked" to be thrown in a police cell after the woman, a member of Edinburgh University's Cheerleading Society, claimed he had raped her.

Brown had initially faced a charge of rape, but the advocate depute said he was dropping the rape allegation and inviting the jury to convicted Brown, of Waddingburn Road, Lasswade, of the lesser offence of sexually assaulting the woman to her injury – a charge which Brown continues to deny.

Trial judge Lord Matthews is expected to ask the jury to retire today.