Woman Testifies in Okinawa Rape Case

A Japanese woman allegedly raped by a US airman in a car park in Okinawa has denied his evidence that she consented to having sex.

"I screamed, 'No! No!'," she said. "I fiercely resisted... but he continued."

The woman, aged in her 20s, gave her evidence from a separate room via a video link so she would not have to face the defendant, US Air Force Staff Sergeant Timothy Woodland.

Woodland, 24, has admitted having sex with the woman, who has not been named, but denies rape.

The alleged rape took place in the early hours of 29 June in the car park of the American Village shopping and amusement arcade outside the sprawling Kadena base, about 18km (11 miles) north of Naha.

The prosecution alleges he grabbed the woman from behind, forced her on to the hood of a car and raped her.

The woman told the Naha District Court: "I resisted by banging the hood with both my hands... There's no doubt he heard me."

"I am overwhelmed with rage at the fact that he says it was consensual," she said.

"I just want him to go to jail so I will never have to see him again."

Tuesday's courtroom session was the second since the trial began last month.

Woodland's lawyers will be allowed to cross examine the woman in another session on 22 October. Closing arguments are scheduled for mid-February.








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