A MAN has denied leading a clubber out of an Oxford nightclub before raping her in a nearby alleyway.

Suranga Wijethunga, of Speedwell Street, Oxford, appeared at Oxford Crown Court as his trial for the single count of rape began yesterday.

The 32-year old is alleged to have met his alleged victim inside Atik nightclub, Park End Street, Oxford, in the early hours of June 18 last year.

In CCTV footage shown to the jury of six men and six women, Wijethunga appears to lead the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, out of the packed nightclub.

Appearing unsteady on her feet, the footage shows Wijethunga placing an arm around her and seeming to lead her out of the entrance of the nightclub before walking her out on to the street and in the direction of the city centre.

It was then, shortly before 2am, the court heard, that the woman was led to an alleyway not far from the city centre nightclub, before she was raped.

Prosecuting, James Lofthouse, told jurors: “He is clearly getting her down [the club steps] and taking the lead when she is very unsteady on her feet.

“This case is a question of consent and reasonable belief in consent.”

Wijethunga denies the single charge and maintains that no rape took place outside of the nightclub.

The trial continues.