A MARRIED man raped a drunken woman after escorting her home from a nightclub, a court heard yesterday.

She only realised she had been raped when she woke the next day, with vague memories of Jamie Volans, 27, being in the room with her, prosecutor Brian Hurst told Teesside Crown Court.

She found semen on her couch and phoned two friends who were police officers. They advised her to save items for evidence and to report the incident to police.

Mr Volans admitted sex play but denied intercourse, until he was challenged with scientific proof.

He told police she had initiated the sexual encounter. But Mr Hurst said she was in no condition to give her consent.

Mr Volans, of Chipchase Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, denies rape on October 30 last year.

The case continues.