A teenage Kurd has gone on trial accused of raping a Bradford prostitute only four months after arriving in this country.

Kermang Saleh, 19, is alleged to have carried out the sex attack after dragging the woman down an alleyway off Fulton Street in the city centre last September.

The prostitute, in her late 20s who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told a jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday how she had gone out that night looking for a regular client as she needed money to buy electricity tokens.

During cross-examination by Saleh's barrister Sarah Barlow, the woman admitted that she was a heroin user at the time and had taken some of the drug that afternoon.

The jury also heard that the alleged rape victim was now serving a 38-month prison sentence for offences of theft and robbery.

The prostitute told the court how she had been walking along Sunbridge Road when she realised a man was following her. She said he asked her for 'business' and when she said no he walked off up Fulton Street.

The woman explained how she walked up Fulton Street to get home, but was then grabbed by the chin and hair.

''He was strong. I tried to struggle, but it got worse. The more I struggled the stronger he was pulling me,'' she said.

She described how he undid her belt, pulled down her jeans and knickers and had raped her after she gave him a condom to wear.

The prostitute said she was screaming out for help and a club-goer even saw what was happening in the alleyway, but walked off. She eventually pushed her attacker away and ran back out into the road where she got help from police officers in an unmarked car.

The woman was taken in the car to look for her attacker and it was a few minutes later that she pointed out Saleh.

Saleh, of Lytton Road, Girlington, has denied the rape allegation. But prosecutor Peter Johnson told the jury swabs taken from Saleh indicated he had been wearing a silicon-lubricate condom.

The trial continues.