A FORMER prostitute denied in the Central Criminal Court yesterday that a garda prompted her to identify the accused man as the driver who allegedly abducted and raped her.

The mother-of-two denied a suggestion by defence counsel, Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, that, on the initial viewing of an identification parade, she said "it's none of them." She also denied that the garda in charge walked her down the line, stopped in front of the accused man and told her to "pick him out".

The woman said it was not true, as counsel suggested, that "she replied "I'm not sure" and the garda got angry before she identified the accused man.

He "stuck out a mile" to her, she told Mr Justice Moriarty and the jury on eighth day of the trial of a 36-year-old man who has pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning her on the night of December 29th-30th, 1994. He also denies raping and sexually assaulting her later the same night.

Earlier, Dr Antonia Lehane described the woman's condition as being consistent with her allegations. Dr Lehane said when she carried out her examination early on December 30th, the woman was distressed and crying.

Dr Lehane told prosecuting counsel Ms Maureen Clark SC the woman had scratches on her left shoulder, and a detailed medical examination indicated she had been subjected to forced sexual activity. She was aware the woman was a previous heroin abuser. The trial continues.