Teenager 'raped at summer camp'

Howard Andrews denies serious sexual offences against children

A woman has told a court she was raped in a tent as a "shy" 15-year-old by a former outdoor pursuits instructor.

Howard Andrews, 45, of Twineham, West Sussex, is on trial at Exeter Crown Court accused of 18 serious sexual offences including rape.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges involving five girls and three boys.

The offences were allegedly committed between 1985 and 1998 in Sussex, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Surrey and Switzerland.

It all happened so quickly I did not know what to do. He raped me Alleged victim

The woman, who is now 33, gave evidence from behind a screen, telling the jury that she was raped in July 1991 by Mr Andrews.

At the time he was running Marlin Leisure outdoor pursuits firm in Tiverton, Devon.

She claimed that while sharing a tent at a summer camp he climbed on top of her and raped her.

"It all happened so quickly I did not know what to do. He raped me," she said.

'Only a child'

The witness said she told her parents because she feared she was pregnant, but police were not informed until 2002.

Earlier the court heard from a 27-year-old woman who claims she was indecently assaulted by the defendant during an activity holiday in Dorset when she was eight years old.

She said he took off her clothes and massaged her with baby oil.

"I did not really understand. I was only a child," she told the jury.

The trial continues.