DARLINGTON MAN HARRY BUTTERS ON TRIAL FOR ALLEGED RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
A woman has described how she tried to rescue her daughter’s friend from the hands of an alleged rapist, Harry Butters.The woman recounted how Butters supposedly pulled over in an isolated layby where he allegedly carried out a series of sexual assaults on her.
His alleged victim contacted her former partner to inform her she was scared after being offered a lift home by the 24-year-old.
The former Darlington FC Under-23 team player is accused of forcing the woman to perform sex acts on him, then sexually assaulting her further, and performing a sex act on himself.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, testified that she attempted to grab the handle of the car door before Butters sped off in his vehicle.
She recalled running after his car for a brief period, shouting 'just let her out', but he sped away quickly.
She then ran back to the van and, after a chase, was following her phone's location with her ex.
She described how they tried to follow his car and how she saw a vehicle she thought was his, but her daughter indicated it wasn't.
She stated that they managed to stop him and called the police.
The trial continues, and Butters denies charges of rape, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, two counts of sexual assault, and one of false imprisonment, all related to the same female complainant.
UPDATE - FORMER DARLINGTON FC U23 PLAYER HAS BEEN CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES AT TEESSIDE CROWN COURT
