Councillor raped woman after brother's funeral, jury told

Mike Rouse is accused of rape and sexual assault, and is on trial at Coventry Crown Court

A councillor took cocaine and raped a woman following his brother's funeral, a jury has heard.

Mike Rouse, who represents Redditch South on Worcestershire County Council, is on trial at Coventry Crown Court accused of rape and sexual assault.

Jurors heard the 41-year-old targeted the victim in February 2023 at a house where people had gathered following the funeral.

A West Mercia Police officer told the court Mr Rouse denied rape in his police interview and said the woman had kissed him after acting "flirtatiously".

One witness, who cannot be named, said the defendant had been taking cocaine and drinking alcohol before going upstairs.

Jurors heard Mr Rouse reappeared downstairs sometime later asking for more cocaine and saying, "what does my breath smell like?", and "guess where I've been?"

"I took from that, that something had gone on upstairs," the witness said.

"The way he said it, I just found that a bit cocky."

The jury also heard from PC Laura Brown who helped interview Mr Rouse under caution.

He told the officer the woman had been flirting with him and had kissed him and another man at the property, the court heard.

Mr Rouse denied rape and told police he was not physically able at the time to have sex with the woman.

The councillor was suspended from the Conservative party at his own request after being charged and is now an independent.

The trial continues.