A MAN raped a 24-year-old woman in a Merseyside cemetery after they met in a late-night bar, a court was told.

Vadims Holostovs, 31, is accused of carrying out the sex attack in Southport and assaulting his female victim.

He denies charges of rape, sexual assault and wounding with intent.

Anya Horwood, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court how he and the woman met in Bakers Bar on November 20 last year.

She said the pair had danced and possibly shared a drink together.

Ms Horwood said they had left at closing time, around 4am, catching a taxi and then agreed to walk together.

The jury heard how they entered the cemetery on Duke Street where the woman was attacked and raped.

It was alleged in court that Holostovs pinned her face down, pulling down her lower clothing and tried to rape her.

Ms Horwood said the defendant then put his hands around the woman’s neck and did rape her, hitting her as he carried out the attack.

She added: “She recollects waking up in the cemetery, saw her clothes pulled down and she was aware she had injuries and was bleeding.

“She had suffered fingernail scratches, fingergrip marks, extensive bruising and swelling to her eye and injuries to her wrist, both knees, both thighs, and her back.”

A woman who was driving to work the following morning saw the disorientated-looking victim walking down the road at around 7am.

The motorist took her to Southport A & E where she was examined and police were subsequently called.

Scientific tests showed that the likelihood of bodily fluids found on the victim’s clothes on a cemetery bench not belonging to Holostovs was one billion to one.