A MAN accused of rape has declined to go into the witness box at his trial at York Crown Court. John Terence Ellison’s lawyers did not present any evidence on his behalf.

His barrister Steven Crossley claimed about the prosecution case in his closing speech: “There isn’t a case, when you analyse it properly.”

The jury has seen a statement Ellison made through his solicitor when he was interviewed by police before he was charged.

They will consider their verdict today.

Ellison, 45, of no fixed address, denies raping the woman on November 23, 2012 at a York hostel.

Earlier, prosecution barrister Richard Woolfall had alleged in his closing speech of Ellison: “Although his account was in the prepared statement, that wasn’t on oath and wasn’t sworn evidence.

It doesn’t have the same weight as someone prepared to take the oath.”

Mr Crossley claimed the woman was not a credible witness, nor was a fellow lodger Kevin Trousdale, who claimed he heard her call out “no” and the jury couldn’t rely on their evidence.

The woman had made a false allegation of rape against Ellison before the incident on November 23 and had denied doing so when cross-examined, he alleged. She had also contradicted under oath things police, a social worker, a health worker and others had said she had said.

She had mental health problems before and after November 23.

The jury had heard undisputed evidence that a doctor had assessed her as being well when he met her on November 23.

About Mr Trousdale, Mr Crossley claimed he started drinking shortly after breakfast and drank all day.

He had admitted under cross-examination, according to the defence barrister, that his evidence may have been affected by what the woman told him in the days after the alleged rape.