Man denies raping schoolgirl in Telford 40 years ago

Michael Nurse denies two charges of rape alleged to have been committed on September 11 and 12, 1980.

The grandfather told a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday he was celebrating the birth of his first child at the pub with his friends, including the alleged victim who was 15-years-old, at the time.

He said: “I stayed at the hospital with my wife until about 7pm and then went back home to Telford and walked to the Black Horse pub.

“I said my wife had had a baby and told the landlord to buy everyone a drink.

"I stayed there until about midnight or 1am and then the landlord arranged a taxi to take me home. I went home alone.”

Nurse - now of Gerrard’s Cross, Buckinghamshire - said he arrived at his house in Overdale, lit a fire and fell asleep on the sofa before being woken up at about 6am by his parents knocking on the door.

The woman, now aged 53, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claims the defendant took her back to his house and raped her that night and once again in the morning.

Nurse, who works as a coach driver, added: “I have no idea why she would make such a thing up.

“It never ever happened on that date or any date.”

Mr Peter Grice, prosecuting, said the woman initially blamed herself for what happened because she should not have been drinking.

However, in August 2015, she finally made a complaint to police and the defendant was interviewed and told police he was alone at his home after leaving the pub.

Mr Grice told the court she alleged that Nurse raped her despite her struggling to push him away.

He claimed Nurse also put a pillow over her face when she started to scream.

Mr Grice further alleged that the victim had fallen asleep but when she woke the next morning the defendant was attacking her again. The trial continues.