Jury sworn in for trial of men accused of rape at college ball

Updated

A jury has been sworn to try the case of four men accused of rape at an annual college ball.

Thady Duff, 22, James Martin, 20, Leo Mahon, 22, and Patrick Foster, 22, deny all the charges they face, which are alleged to have been committed against the same woman.

They are accused of raping the alleged victim at the end-of-year ball at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in May 2014.

A jury of six men and six women were sworn in to hear the case at Gloucester Crown Court.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC told the panel that barrister Fiona Elder would begin the prosecution case on Wednesday morning and they were released until then.

He told them: "This case concerns sexual activity on a ball night at the Royal Agricultural University. Some of that was filmed.

"This is going to be what we call adult pornographic material - very short in length - to be watched.

"If any of you feel uncomfortable with that please put your hand up."

Duff, of Stubbs Hill Farm, Blunsdon, Swindon, Wiltshire denies three charges of rape. He also denies a charge of sexual assault against the same woman which is alleged to have been carried out between October 1 and 31 2013.

Martin, of Hook Norton Road, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire denies a single charge of rape.

Mahon, of Lawrence Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire denies three charges of rape and two charges of assault by penetration.

Foster, of Maldon Road, Kelvedon, Colchester, Essex denies one charge of rape and two charges of assault by penetration.

The internationally renowned university, which until 2013 was known as the Royal Agricultural College, is rated the Oxbridge of agricultural studies.

Founded in 1845, it was the first agricultural college in the English-speaking world.

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