A PREGNANT mother-of-two was dragged from the street and raped by a Fijian soldier who threatened to kill her after she left a North-East nightclub, a trial jury was told yesterday.

The 23-year-old Darlington woman was five months pregnant when she was allegedly pushed to the ground and attacked by Mila Kaitani, a recruit based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the mother, who has since given birth to a baby boy, was saved from further assault when a soldier passing by flagged down a police car and an officer went to help her.

The prosecution alleged Mr Kaitani pestered the woman in Jester's nightclub, Catterick, telling her he loved her, before attacking her as she walked to find a taxi.

He also threatened to kill his screaming victim and pretended he was armed with a knife, said Deborah Sherwin, prosecuting.

The court heard the woman, now 24, was approached by the soldier in the club and made it clear she was not interested in him.

Miss Sherwin said: "He was trying to persuade her to go with him, he was not taking no for an answer. He attacked her, pushing her down to the floor.

"He was threatening her, saying he would kill her and had a knife."

A soldier returning from a night out heard a woman sobbing and saw what looked like two people having sex, so he alerted a police officer who went to investigate.

The prosecution alleged Mr Kaitani tried to run away from the scene but was apprehended.

The woman, who was bleeding and bruised, was comforted by a passer-by and taken to hospital.

Mr Kaitani, 23, of Vimy barracks, denies an allegation of rape. The trial continues.