A WOMAN was assaulted and raped in her own home, a court heard.

The 36-year-old was pinned down on her bed by Dominic Dixon, aged 23, who had his hand around her throat, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

Steven Swift, prosecuting, said Dixon attacked her at her Leigh home after he flew into a rage. The woman managed to run to another bedroom, but Dixon followed and forced his way in.

Mr Swift said Dixon grabbed her round the neck again and when she struggled and tearfully asked him to stop, he told her it made him excited.

The court heard that Dixon raped her and she ran to the lounge and “crunched up in a ball”.

When she heard the front door close, she ran to a phone box and rang the police.

By the time she got back to her home, Dixon had also returned but the police arrived at the same time, Mr Swift said.

Dixon, of Abbots Road, Abbey Halton, Stoke, was arrested and interviewed and said sex was consensual.

He claimed she had assaulted him and he had reacted in self-defence.

Dixon has pleaded not guilty to rape.

The case continues.