Man in double rape trial

Thomas Rostron forced himself on the frail pensioner after befriending her following her husband's death, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Some months earlier he had raped another woman in an empty classroom at the school where he worked, a jury heard.

Rostron, aged 62, of Meadowside Avenue, Tonge Fold, pleads not guilty to both charges.

Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, told the court that Rostron struck up a relationship with the elderly widow in the weeks after her husband died.

She eventually gave him a key to her front door.

"It is alleged that on the last occasion he visited, he raped her." Mr Cadwallader said.

He said the rape took place on August 15 last year.The pensioner tried to fight Rostron off and threatened to call the police.

She dialled 999 after Rostron had left her home following the attack.

Mr Cadwallader said: "She is elderly, frail and suffering from Alzheimer's, although still able to look after herself."

When arrested the following day, Rostron admitted to police that he had sex with the woman, but later said it was she who instigated it.

The jury was told that because the victim was vulnerable, a video interview was conducted within 24 hours of the attack to avoid the possible long-term effects on her memory caused by Alzheimer's.

The court heard that in the earlier attack on another woman , Rostron had pushedher into a classroom after school hours, undressed her, then carried out the rape.

The prosecution alleged he had previously attempted to force himself on the woman, whom he knew, while she was travelling as a passenger in his car.

Prior to the attack, which is alleged to have taken place between September 2004 and February 2005, the woman had sent Rostron jokes by text message, the court was told.

Mr Cadwallader said: "She had a habit of sending dirty jokes by text to her friends, including Rostron. She told police that perhaps the defendant took those texts the wrong way."

(Proceeding)