RAF serviceman denies rape (From Witney Gazette)

RAF serviceman denies rape

7:17am Wednesday 1st August 2007 in Witney

An RAF serviceman based at Brize Norton raped a 15-year-old girl after ending up in her bed while he was sleep-walking, a court was told.

The girl woke to find Senior Aircraftman Kenneth Ecott on top of her as they slept in the same room following a birthday party in Poole, Dorset, according to Nicholas Rowland, prosecuting.

She screamed, waking other people in the house, and Ecott got up and was found seconds later walking naked in the garden on November 19, a jury at Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Ecott, 26, was arrested and told police he had been prone to sleep-walking in the past and didn't know what he was doing.

But Mr Rowland said Ecott had not been sleep-walking, but was drunk.

The court heard Ecott attended the birthday party at the Royal British Legion club in Poole.

Afterwards, a group went back to a friend's house where Ecott drank almost a bottle of vodka, it is claimed.

At the end of the night, a number of people bedded down on air beds.

Mr Rowland said: "It was about 3am when those in the dining room went off to sleep - the girl was sleeping next to the defendant."

Mr Rowland said the girl told others he had been having sex with her and when questioned Ecott allegedly said: "I did it, I'm sorry."

Ecott denies one count of rape.

The case continues.