A STUDENT told yesterday how she was raped by a preacher while he forced her to talk about his sexual fantasies.

The woman, now 24, said she felt frightened and on edge whenever she was approached by church leader Robin Brown, a born-again Christian.

Giving evidence at Teesside Crown Court, the alleged victim, who was 16 when the first offence was said to have taken place, said the defendant began to talk inappropriately to her when she was only 14.

As part of the pastor's religion, he told others to follow a strict regime including not to have sex before marriage, not to have partners who were non-Christian and not to swear, drink or smoke.

The victim, who was a virgin before the alleged rapes, told the jury: "He said I needed to stay close to him to get close to God and to tell him any sexual thoughts I had.

"I was 14 when he started saying things to me. It made me uncomfortable. It happened whenever we were alone.

"He said I was not being a Christian and I had to be more friendly to him.

"I did not like being left alone with him. I felt on edge all the time."

Mr Brown, 52, of Shields Place, Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, is accused of three rapes and three indecent assaults on the girl when she was 16 and 17. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The court heard in police interviews that he told officers the incidents were a fabrication and that there was no truth in any of the claims.

The woman said that on one occasion, the accused fondled her, despite her telling him to stop.

She said: "He started touching my skin. He told me to get into bed with him. I did not want to do what he asked, but he said I had to. After, he kissed me on top of my head and said 'thank you'. I was too frightened to scream or shout."

The college student said Mr Brown sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions and that if she did not respond, he would get angry with her.

She said: "He would say I was dirty. Sometimes he would come out with sexual stories and ask me to say them."

The case continues.