A BOLTON man was raped by another man after being plied with "strange-tasting" vodka which made him lose consciousness, a court heard.

The 24-year-old, who cannot be named, told Bolton Crown Court the last thing he remembered was Peter Williams unzipping his jeans before he passed out.

The man claimed he awoke the following morning sat in a lounge chair.

As he was recovering, Williams walked into the room, grabbed his bottom and allegedly said that he had had sex with him the previous night and that it had been great.

The alleged victim did not tell anyone for several days what had happened because he said he was embarrassed and it brought back memories of being raped when he was six years-old by another man.

When he was arrested Williams denied that he had sex with the man and said that he had left his room after having a drink. He accused the man of stealing temazepam tablets.

Williams, aged 46, of no fixed abode but who lived in the Bolton area, denies the rape allegation.

The alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court he had begun chatting to the man in the lounge of William's home.

He claimed Williams offered him a drink of vodka and lemonade and they talked about Williams visiting Manchester's gay village.

He went for another drink in Williams' bedroom. He said it tasted stronger and bitter and burned his mouth and throat. Later he said he began to feel confused and sleepy. The man claimed Williams offered £20 the next morning to keep quiet. He told the court he said nothing for a few days but later told another man and the police were eventually called.

Proceeding