A MOTHER-OF-THREE broke down in tears yesterday as she told a court a soldier had dragged her off the street and raped her after a night out.

The woman, from Darlington, who was five months pregnant at the time of the alleged attack, told Teesside Crown Court she was left bruised and covered in blood after the incident in January.

Giving evidence via a video link, she said she pleaded with the man to stop and told him she was pregnant but he continued to hold her down and assault her.

She said: "He pushed me down to the ground and I tried to get back up but he was too strong.

"I was really upset. I kept saying I wanted to go home to my boyfriend but he would not take no for an answer. He was laid on top of me and banging my head off the ground.

"I said please let me go, I am pregnant, but he said, 'You have had your chance, if you don't shut up I am going to kill you.' He said, 'I have got a knife'."

Mila Kaitani, a 23-year-old soldier based at Vimy barracks, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, has pleaded not guilty to rape.

The prosecution alleged he raped the woman after pestering her as she enjoyed a night out at Jester's nightclub, in Catterick Garrison, on January 10.

Mr Kaitani told police it was consensual sex.

The trial continues.