A MAN raped a lesbian after she accused him of kissing her lover, it was alleged yesterday.

Abdirashid Said, 33, is said to have attacked the woman after the lovers had an argument at his flat in Toward Road, Sunderland, on May 8.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that the couple had gone to Mr Said's flat for drinks, but the supplies ran out, so Said and one of the women went out to get some more.

But when they were late returning, a row broke out when the pair were accused of kissing.

Prosecutor John Wilkinson told the court that one of the women left the flat, leaving her lover with Mr Said.

The court heard that Mr Said told the woman: "If it wasn't you it would have been her."

He is then alleged to have dragged her into his bedroom, forcing her to strip and repeatedly raping her.

Mr Wilkinson told the court that Mr Said tried to tie up the woman with his dressing gown cord as she kicked out and screamed for help.

As she pleaded with him to stop, Mr Said told her to shut up or he would cut her throat.

Mr Wilkinson said the brutal attack only came to an end when the woman's partner returned to the flat, and found her companion in a desperate state.

The court heard the terrified victim ran from the house, unaware that it was her friend who had come to the rescue, before eventually returning home.

The police were called and the woman underwent a medical examination which revealed a series of bruises and scratched on her legs, body and neck.

Mr Said was arrested the following morning.

He claimed the woman had consented to sex when he had consoled her after the row with her lover.

Mr Said denies rape and false imprisonment.

The hearing continues.