FORMER Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger told a jury today (Thursday, February 27) he has never had sex with a woman against her will.

The 22-year-old, who is on trial at Newcastle Crown Court accused of raping a woman in a hotel room, admitted he had quite a few one-night stands after he broke into Newcastle's first team.

Now with Swindon Town, Ranger denied raping the woman he had been messaging over three to four months last January, insisting they had consensual sex twice.

Toby Hedworth QC, defending, listed Ranger's previous convictions which include burglary, handling stolen goods and robbery when he was a teenager growing up in north London.

His offences continued after he signed for Newcastle United and he was sentenced for drink driving in November 2011, drunk and disorderly, scuffling with two police officers on another night out, and battery when he pulled his then girlfriends hair last year, Mr Hedworth said.

His barrister then asked: "Have you ever had sexual activity with a female against her wishes?"

Ranger replied: "Never."

The woman alleged she was raped in the Carlton Hotel, Jesmond, after agreeing to meet the footballer in a city centre bar.

He said the rape arrest was a factor in his contract ending on Tyneside.

"To be honest, with Newcastle I was getting in a bit of bother, lateness and stuff," he said.

"It was like a ticking time-bomb with the whole rape allegation. It affected me."

Asked how he felt to be arrested for rape, Ranger said: "I was shocked.

"I know I'm not a rapist."

The trial will continue tomorrow (Friday, February 28).