The jury is now considering the case of a student accused of raping two women in Stockton, with key testimonies presented in court.
Stockton: The jury is now deliberating in the trial of a student accused of raping two women. The student, Haider Ali, is 31 years old and from Pakistan. He admits to having sex with both women but claims it was consensual.
Ali met the women late last year while looking for sex workers. He agreed on a price with both women but did not pay them. One woman testified that Ali forced himself on her, while the other reported being raped twice.
Ali told the court he advised the second woman not to call the police. He ran away when he heard her mention the police. He insists that the encounters were consensual and denies the rape charges.
After the alleged incidents, Ali saw a police appeal online and sought legal help. He had his passport with him when arrested, but he denied any intention to flee the country.
During cross-examination, Ali admitted to having used a sex worker in the past but claimed it was a long time ago. He explained that discussing sex while under oath felt disrespectful to his beliefs.
The prosecution questioned the credibility of the women’s testimonies, suggesting it was unlikely they would fabricate similar stories. The defense argued that the second woman did not initially claim she was raped when she called the police.
Judge Richard Clews highlighted the importance of consent and communication in this case. He noted that the first woman did not identify as a sex worker, while the second did, but was not working that night.
As the trial concludes, the jury will decide on the evidence presented and the credibility of the testimonies.
