Man contacted police about Norfolk rapes after being on jury

The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was a teenager when he gave Shaun Gilder, then in his 20s, a lift home from a barbecue in Blundeston, Suffolk.

Norwich Crown Court has heard the car being driven by the alleged victim pulled onto an estate being built in Gorleston near the James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) in the early hours of May 22, 2004, so Gilder, who was drunk, could be sick.

James Paget University Hospital (Image: Newsquest)Gilder, 40, formerly of Norwich but now of Chestnut Avenue, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, has gone on trial having denied two counts of rape and one of assault by penetration against the victim after the car stopped.

Jurors have heard the alleged victim initially contacted police in 2004 although it was not until 2018 that he made contact with officers for a second time about the incident.

Giving evidence on Thursday, he said he had been sitting on a jury listening to a case where a man had abused a child which prompted "a lot of flashbacks".

He said he "couldn't cope any more" and "needed closure".

The court also heard he had told others about what happened, including a friend who he met while on holiday in 2009 or 2010.

He said he had initially disclosed some of what happened on social media before having a brief chat with her on one holiday and a "more detailed conversation" with her on another trip.

He said: "I explained to her he had raped me."

In cross examination Ian James, defending Gilder, put it to the alleged victim that he had "made this up".

He replied: "I disagree with what you're saying. It definitely happened."

In relation to a subsequent criminal injuries claim he made, Mr James suggested that rather than being a "closure process" it was more of a "give me some money process".

The witness said: "No, I don't agree with that."

The trial continues.