THE State Pathologist for Northern Ireland told a Belfast rape trial yesterday that if the victim's story was true he found it `inconceivable' that she had suffered no internal injuries.
The 38 year old mother, of three told a Crown Court jury that, as well as raping her twice, the defendant used a stick, pulled from a bush, to indecently, assault her. Prof Jack Crane, giving evidence for the defence, said in such circumstances he would have expected to find internal tears and lacerations, particularly if the end or side of the stick, was sharp or pointed. The witness also said minor scratches and marks to the woman's back and arms could have been caused by lying or moving on rough ground.
Mr Ronny Todd (25), from Grange Drive, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, denied two charges of rape and one of indecent assault in the early hours of July 1st, 1994. He claimed he had sex with the woman with her consent while walking her home from a local bar.
Prof Crane also said a laceration on the woman's right forearm was the sort of injury which could be caused by snagging the skin on a piece of barbed wire or a thorn. He added if the woman's long sleeved blouse had been pulled down to the wrist when this abrasion occurred it would almost certainly have torn the fabric. The witness, who examined the blouse, said there were no marks or tears on the sleeve.
In cross examination, Prof Crane admitted he had not examined the woman personally, and was relying on photographs and evidence given by other medical witnesses. The trial continues on Monday, and a verdict is expected on Tuesday.