Woman who alleges rape breaks down at trial

A woman who said she was raped in a lay-by after accepting a lift following a night out broke down in court while giving evidence.

The woman, who said she was attacked by two men after visiting a nightclub in Bedford in August 2024, became distressed when giving evidence at Huntingdon Crown Court.

Judge Bal Dhaliwal-Thomas temporarily halted the trial and the woman resumed her evidence after about 15 minutes.

Robert Balcan, 22, and Adrian Madarasz, 25, who lived together in Shortstown, near Bedford, deny kidnap and rape. Mr Madarasz also denies sexual assault.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told police she was raped in a car in the early hours of 26 August.

She said the men "threw" her out of the car after the assault - and told how she had knocked on a door and asked for help.

Lawyers representing Mr Balcan and Mr Madarasz, who lived together in Evans Croft, Shortstown, have suggested that the woman was not a victim of crime.

The woman, who gave evidence from behind a screen, became distressed and said she was feeling sick when being questioned by barrister Yvonne Kramo, who represents Mr Balcan, on Wednesday.

Ms Kramo suggested that the woman had asked Mr Balcan if he wanted sex - and argued that sex had been consensual.

The woman repeatedly said "no" to Ms Kramo's suggestions.

"They threw me out of the car," the woman told jurors. "He raped me."

She said she had been "very scared" and added: "It was not consensual."

James Wing, who represents Mr Madarasz, also suggested that his client had not assaulted the woman.

The woman said she was first taken to a house where she was sexually assaulted by Mr Madarasz.

She said she had been raped in the car by Mr Balcan while Mr Madarasz held her head.

Barrister Laura Blackband, prosecuting, has told jurors that Mr Balcan and Mr Madarasz were a "double act" who looked for "drunk women to target".

She said material containing Mr Balcan's DNA was found on the woman's body.

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