A STUDENT was allegedly raped in a loft at a party after a drug-fuelled night on the town in Burnley, a jury was told.

The 20-year-old woman, said to be intoxicated on drink and drugs, was found face down on the floor, half-naked and sobbing by a friend who had gone to look for her.

Her alleged attacker Paul Martin, 28, was having sex with her and when challenged got off the student but said nothing, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Martin, said to have a girlfriend, later told police: "She never said no. She never said stop. She never said get off. She never said leave me alone."

He claimed the woman, a part-time barmaid, had been giving him "signals" she was interested in him.

The defendant, of Lyndhurst Road, Burnley, denies rape, in April.

Stephen Johnson, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had tried to flirt with the student, calling her 'gorgeous'. She did not think much of that as she believed Martin had a girlfriend.

The woman and her friends arrived at the party, at a house in Burnley, in the early hours.

The party-goers played a game of truth and dare, where the defendant dared the woman to kiss him and claimed she did so, willingly and passionately. She recalled he gave her a quick kiss on the lips in the kitchen.

The alleged victim, and some of her friends, had snorted cocaine and the woman was intoxicated on drink and drugs.

Mr Johnson said about 6am, the student realised she had lost her handbag and told her friend she would look for it in the attic.

Martin followed her upstairs for the second time that morning and she turned round to see him behind her. The prosecutor said the defendant moved towards her as if to kiss her but she refused, saying he had a girlfriend.

The woman's recollection of events from then on was a blur but her friend who had gone looking for her went into the attic and found her on the carpet, face down.

Her eyes were closed, she was crying and she was half naked. Martin was on top of her having sex and he later admitted to police they had had intercourse.

Mr Johnson said the woman's friend challenged the defendant and told him to get off the student. He did but said nothing.

Martin ignored all questions put to him and simply walked out of the house. The student was sobbing uncontrollably and her friends decided to call the police. Martin was later arrested at Burnley police station.

The prosecutor said after caution, the defendant told officers he had thought both he and the alleged victim were consenting.

The defendant suggested the two of them had gone into the attic, the girl had taken her trousers off, they had kissed and had sex.

Martin claimed the student had appeared to be enjoying it.

He alleged the girl had only begun to cry when her friend came into the attic. He added he did not believe he had done anything wrong.

The Crown's case is the alleged victim did not consent and significantly the circumstances were such that the defendant could not reasonably believe she was consenting.