accused insists ‘nothing would have started without consent’

IRELAND rugby player Stuart Olding told Belfast Crown Court “nothing would have started and nothing would have continued” if sexual contact with an alleged victim had not been consensual.

He appeared in the witness box on day two of the defence case in his rape trial.

He is accused with Paddy Jackson of the rape of a 19-year-old woman in Jackson’s South Belfast home a day after the men returned from the Ireland tour of South Africa in 2016.

Asked by his barrister Frank O’donoghue if there had been anything to make him think what had happened on the night in question was not consensual, Olding replied: “No, not at all. If I thought it was not, nothing would have started and nothing would have continued.”

And when asked about the discussion he had had with Jackson about the events of the night, he was asked if anything had been said to lead him to believe the events had been anything other than consensual, the 24-year-old replied: “No, not at all. I’m 100% sure.”

Olding was asked about a Whatsapp message he sent to a group of friends, including Jackson, after the alleged attack in which he said: “We are top shaggers.”

Asked what he meant, he told the court: “It was immature boasting to my friends.”

Mr O’donoghue referred to another message he sent about “spitroasting going on” and was asked what he had meant by the term.

He said: “It is slang term for a threesome. A woman in between two men and sexual activity happening.”

And he when asked how he felt about these messages, he replied: “I feel embarrassed sitting here reading them. I’m not proud but I did it.”

Another text which read: “Any sluts get f***ed?” was responded to by Olding saying: “Precious secrets.”

And when asked by his barrister what he had meant, Olding replied: “It’s a reference to Lord of the Rings. It’s just a nonsense comment. It is not referring to anything specific.”

Paddy Jackson, 26, from Belfast’s Oakleigh Park, is charged with one count of rape and sexual assault.

Stuart Olding, 24, from Ardenlee Street, Belfast, is also charged with rape.

Blane Mcilroy, 26, of Royal Lodge Road, Belfast, is charged with one count of exposure.

Rory Harrison, 25, of Manse Road, Belfast is charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information.

Each deny all the charges.