A FRIEND of a man accused of raping a fellow student has claimed he could be “grabby” with women in nightclubs.

Josh Baker told York Crown Court how Bartolomeo Joly de Lotbiniere’s personality would change when he was drunk and would use the unusual tactic to approach women he was attracted to.

“Most of the time he would be fine but sometimes he would be a bit more grabby,” he told the jury on the fourth day of the former University of York student’s trial.

“I didn’t know most of them, I assumed some of them to be strangers.

“When he got very drunk, he would go up to them in a more forceful manner."

The 21-year-old defendant is accused rape and assault by penetration dating back to June 2014.

It is alleged the woman was raped after a night out in York the day before the defendant went home to London for the 2014 summer break. The prosecution say he undressed the woman and raped her, but Joly de Lotbiniere denies this and claims the sex was consensual.

Defence witness Flossie Vice-Coles, 22, described the defendant as a “kind, compassionate, gentle person." The trial heard closing speeches from prosecution and defence.

  • The trial continues.