A BOGUS taxi driver raped a woman after giving her a lift, a jury was told.

It is alleged that Asif Ali drove to a rural spot where he carried out a sex attack on the woman.

The defendant denies raping the woman, claiming instead that she had made all the advances and he had gone along with it.

Ali, 24, of Lee Street, Burnley, is on trial at Preston Crown Court, accused of rape.

Joanna Rodikis, prosecuting, told how the woman was attacked after having hospital treatment for injuries she sustained in a drunken fight with her partner.

Miss Rodikis said that as they were about to phone for a taxi home, the couple were approached by the defendant, who was driving a Renault car.

Miss Rodikis told the jury: "We say he purported to be a taxi driver, offering a lift home. The man was suspicious about the car and suspected it wasn't a taxi, although the woman accepted it at face value".

They refused a lift, but the defendant drove on and returned. He was quite insistent about giving them a lift home, said the prosecution. Eventually the couple agreed to get in the car ,and following a dispute about the fare, Ali asked him to go to a nearby petrol station for change.

The man, who had grown suspicious, got out of the car, but she stayed inside, saying she didn't want to walk the long distance home.

Miss Rodikis added "He saw the defendant suddenly and quickly drive off. On seeing this the man immediately called the police. "

The car ended up in a rural area.

The prosecution claim Ali was saying he wanted paying, even if she had to pay him back in kind. It is alleged that he went on to rape her, even though she was saying "don't do it" and "stop" throughout that time and pleaded with him not to have sex with her.

He later dropped her off at a spot close by her home. When later interviewed by police he went on to admit picking her up in the car. He said she made all the advances and that he went along with it.

(Proceeding)