THE defendant in a Selby rape case would have difficulty understanding the body language of a woman in a sexual situation, a jury has heard.

Consultant psychologist Tony Branwhite, giving evidence for the defence, said Neil Alan Davey's IQ was 76 - just above the level for people with subnormal mental abilities. He had gone to a school for children with special needs and had been epileptic since three.

In a sexual situation, he would have difficulty interpreting the signals from another person, such as a change in tone and hand gestures, that would guide him in what he should and should not do.

Davey, 21, of no fixed address, denies rape and sexual activity with a woman with Down's Syndrome from a village near Selby. Among other matters, the jury will have to decide is whether she consented to what happened between them in her home and whether he reasonably believed she consented. The jury heard that she had an IQ of 53.

The woman alleges that Davey followed her home from a trip to her local shop and had sexual activity with her after a chance meeting.

Davey did not give evidence. But the jury heard that he had told a consultant psychiatrist the woman had invited him back to her house. They had started kissing and it had ended with matters getting "frisky". They had not taken their clothes off and did not have sex.

A psychologist for the prosecution gave Davey an IQ of 88.

The jury was due to consider its verdict today.