A MAN standing trial accused of seven sex offences sent a text message reading “I understand” to a woman who had just confronted him about allegations of raping her in her sleep, a court has heard.

Callum Cole, of Devall Close, Harwich, is accused of raping a woman on multiple occasions in 2020 and 2021.

His accuser, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the police of the allegations in early 2022.

Cole, 23, has been standing trial at Ipswich Crown Court since last week, and is facing six rape charges and one charge of sexual assault.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Closing - the prosecution and defence made their closing speeches on WednesdayClosing - the prosecution and defence made their closing speeches on Wednesday (Image: Pexels)

The prosecution and defence delivered their closing speeches on Wednesday.

The first allegation of rape dates back to October 2020, when the complainant alleges that after having spent the night in bed with Cole, she woke up feeling she had to use the bathroom.

After going to the toilet, she claims she realised Cole had ejaculated inside her.

On another occasion, the complainant alleges she woke up naked having spent the night with Cole, before again finding evidence he had ejaculated inside her.

The complainant is said to have confronted Cole about the incidents, to which he allegedly replied: “You can’t keep accusing me of having sex with you.”

When his accuser confronted him via text message with allegations of sexual assault, Cole is said to have replied “I understand”.

Mark Brown, prosecuting, said: “His response to that was not an attempt to defend himself against that serious allegation, but to say ‘I understand’ – we say that he said those words because he knew very well what he had done.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Evidence - the defence says the woman would have woken up had she been raped in her sleepEvidence - the defence says the woman would have woken up had she been raped in her sleep (Image: Pexels)

“His response was not a denial, but an ‘I understand’ – an acceptance that she’s making a legitimate complaint.”

Ms Brennan, mitigating, argued it would have been impossible for the victim not to have been woken up if Cole was raping her.

She said: “The allegation is that Cole has managed to remove her clothes, have sex to the point of ejaculation, and put all her clothes back on again without waking up.

“You will wish to ask the question: really?”

The jury expected to start deliberating early on Thursday morning.

The trial continues.