A woman who accused ex-Britain’s Got Talent Star contestant Andrew Johnston of rape told jurors she “felt frozen” and unable to leave after the alleged attack.
The woman, giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, said she remained at Johnston’s home the night of the alleged rape because she “felt frozen”. Johnston, 30, is facing two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving two separate women.
The accused, who rose to fame as a singer in 2008 on the hit ITV talent show, is alleged to have committed the offences years after his television appearance.
In a video-recorded interview played to the jury, one of the complainants described Johnston pinning her arms down while placing a hand on her throat.
During her live testimony, she explained how she stayed overnight after the alleged incident, telling the jury: “It was difficult to me. I felt frozen and stuck in place. I felt trapped and like I couldn’t move. I felt stuck and anxious.”
The same woman later claimed that Johnston groped her at a nightclub, adding: “He groped my bum and then outside grabbed me by the shoulders and forcibly kissed me.”
Rupert Kent, defending Johnston, challenged the woman’s account, suggesting that it would not have been difficult for her to leave during the night. He also put it to her that she may have misrepresented consensual, rough sex as rape.
“No,” she responded firmly. When accused of telling a “deliberate lie”, she replied: “It’s not a lie.”
A second complainant, according to prosecutor Maryam Syed KC, told police she had initially engaged in consensual sex with Johnston and had asked him to use a condom. However, she said he later removed it without her consent.
Ms Syed told the court the woman described how Johnston:
- Placed his hands around her neck,
- Removed the condom mid-intercourse without consent,
- And resumed sexual abuse while continuing to choke her.
“No matter how many times she removed them, she said the defendant kept on putting his hands back around her throat,” the prosecutor said.
Johnston denies all charges
Andrew Johnston, of Newtown Road in Carlisle, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial is ongoing.
The trial against the former Britain’s Got Talent finalist has drawn public interest, given his earlier fame. The proceedings continue to unfold as both complainants give their evidence in court. Johnston maintains his innocence, with the jury expected to hear more testimony in the coming days.
