Farrant rape trial update
A friend has spoken of how she became concerned about the health of a girl who claims she was raped by a Haverhill man.
The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has alleged that Anthony Farrant raped her and sexually abused her.
Yesterday speaking via a video link, the friend told a jury at Ipswich Crown Court that she discovered the girl was self harming and had developed anorexia.
The teenage friend who often spent weekends with the girl said some of her injuries were obvious, including bruising to the face and a blistered scar on her hand.
The jury heard allegations that when the girl had gone to her GP to seek treatment for an infection, the doctor had noticed bruising around her groin which the girl had tried to explain away by saying it was from play fighting.
She had dismissed concerns about the injuries and her refusal to eat saying “Don’t worry about me”, said the friend who believed the girl was hiding something.
Earlier when the alleged victim gave evidence, the court was told that she had turned to self harming in an effort to make herself appear less attractive to Farrant.
Farrant, of Eastern Avenue, Haverhill, has denied that any of the alleged offences ever took place.
He has pleaded not guilty to six charges of rape, three of oral rape, two of assault by penetration and one of sexual assault.
Eight of the rape offences took place at a house in Haverhill and one in a lane in the town, claimed Lori Tucker, prosecuting.
The trial continues
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Weather for Haverhill
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
