A young woman sent a desperate message reading 'please help me' to a friend after she was allegedly raped by two men in a Midlands park, a jury has been told.
Alleged Attack in Sutton Lawn Park
The trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard that the 18-year-old woman, who cannot be identified, was allegedly attacked in Sutton Lawn park, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, on June 29 last year.
Prosecutor Nicholas Corsellis KC said the woman had been drinking in the park with a male friend. She was intoxicated when she encountered Sheraz Malik and a group of other men she did not know.
The male friend reportedly asked the group to look after her while he left briefly. "She was alone, drunk and was obviously a vulnerable person," Mr Corsellis told the jury.
Details of the Alleged Assault
The court heard that one man from the group first took the woman to an isolated area of the park and forcibly raped her.
It is alleged that Sheraz Malik, 28, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, then took his turn. The prosecution claims he led her to a secluded spot, struck her, and raped her while grabbing her by the neck and hair.
After the alleged assault, Malik is said to have asked the woman 'did you enjoy that?' and told her not to tell anyone what happened as he escorted her back to the group. He then asked for her Snapchat details.
Desperate Plea for Help and DNA Evidence
Following the alleged attack, the woman sent a Snapchat message to her friend. The jury was told it read: "Please help me, two of them have tried it on with me... The one you told to look after me tried to rape me… and the one with the black T-shirt. Please help, I can’t cope, I feel like killing myself."
The woman managed to leave the park, informed someone of the incident, and the police were contacted. A forensic examination found that Malik’s DNA was present on samples taken from the woman.
When arrested on July 18, Malik told officers 'I haven’t done anything wrong' and gave no-comment interviews. He also declined to account for why his DNA was found on the woman.
The Question of Consent
Malik has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape. Defence barrister Simon Eckersley said his client denies raping the woman and asserts the sexual encounter was consensual.
Prosecutor Corsellis told the jury that while DNA evidence establishes sexual activity occurred, "The issue for you is for you to consider whether this sexual activity was consensual or not."
The 28-year-old defendant listened to proceedings via a Pakistani Pashto interpreter. The trial continues.
