Rugby rape trial: Rory Harrison tells court Jackson would be 'last person' to rape someone
A friend of two Ireland and Ulster rugby players accused of rape has told a court Paddy Jackson would be the 'last person' to rape someone.
Last updated 10th Mar 2018
Rory Harrison was giving evidence at a special sitting of the high profile trial at Belfast Crown Court on Saturday.
He was asked about his reaction to a message from the complainant hours after the alleged attack, in which she told him what happened was not consensual.
Harrison said: "My initial reaction was shock that something had happened she was not consenting to.
"I didn't believe it.
"The more I thought about it, I have known Patrick since I was eight or nine.
"He is the last person in the world to rape someone," he said.
Answering questions from his defence barrister Gavan Duffy QC, Harrison told the court he believed the complainant was upset when she left the house because she had been "rejected'' by Jackson.
Gavan Duffy QC asked: "Did you speculate to yourself about what might have happened?''
Harrison replied: "Yes, I thought that maybe she had been rejected by Paddy.''
Mr Duffy added: "It has been speculated by the Crown that you knew or believed that she had been the victim of rape at that time?''
Harrison replied: "No, I did not.''
Later, he denied attempting to cover up or "manage'' the situation.
25-year-old Harrison from Manse Road in Belfast, denies perverting the course of justice and withholding information.
26-year-old Paddy Jackson from Oakleigh Park and 24-year-old Stuart Olding, from Ardenlee Street, both in Belfast, deny raping the same woman on 28 June 2016.