A man accused of rape has appeared in court on the first day of his trial.

Michael Blake, 37, who was living in Victoria Avenue in Surbiton at the time of his arrest, denies raping the woman in August last year.

At Kingston Crown Court on Monday, the jury was shown a 45-minute video of Mr Blake’s accuser speaking to police the day after the alleged attack.

The woman in her early 20s, who can not be identified for legal reasons, then took to the stand herself to give evidence.

She told the court Mr Blake ordered her to “play with him” by putting his hands on top of his underwear, and when she refused, he raped her.

Elroy Claxton, defending Mr Blake, said there were inconsistencies in the woman's previous evidence and the version of events she was giving now.

But the woman, who declined the option of speaking behind a screen to save her facing Mr Blake, replied: “I was traumatised.

“It’s not something I want to remember.

"It’s an episode of my life I prefer not to think about."

Mr Blake is now living in Gideon Road, Battersea.

The trial continues.