A 46-year-old man has gone on trial, accused of raping a woman in her own home.

A jury heard that because the woman feared William Leatham might beat her or her children, she eventually submitted to sex.

Leatham, living at a hostel in Leeds, was said to have been drinking when he visited the woman's Bradford home.

Prosecutor Christopher Batty told Bradford Crown Court that when the woman asked him to leave, he became angry. He is alleged have punched her, giving her a black eye.

After the woman's daughter went to bed in the early hours, Leatham grabbed the woman and tried to kiss her, it was said.

Leatham is said to have become increasingly angry and began trying to pull the woman's leggings down.

"She began to struggle and he was talking to her through gritted teeth. She decided to stop resisting, fearing a beating either for herself or her children,'' he said.

After having intercourse with the woman, Leatham held her tightly and fell asleep.

"She dare not move, fearing she may wake him and she too, being tired after this ordeal, fell asleep,'' said Mr Batty.

The woman said: "He threatened me and then punched me in the eye. He tried to kiss me. I said No. I did not want to. He got hold of my face. I said No and then he started getting annoyed.''

Leatham denied to police that he had hit the woman and described the sex as consensual.

He pleads not guilty to rape and assault and the trial continues.

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