A man accused of raping a sex worker allegedly told her he was a convicted killer, a court has heard.

It’s claimed Thomas Mulroy told the woman he had served 16 years in jail for murder before ordering her to perform a sex act If she wanted to “walk out alive".

The 55-year-old, who was living in New Road, Chatham, has denied six charges of rape, attempted rape and assault.

A jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard the woman later told a friend: "I've been beaten up and I've been f****** raped. I need you to come and pick me up, all my clothes are ripped."

In the recorded conversation - played to the jury - she is heard saying: "The bloke's a f****** nutter, look at the state of me.

"I thought that I was going to die. I have been strangled to f***."

She added: "I've nearly been f*****g murdered – look at the state of me. I'm all ripped up. I'm bloody and everything.

‘I thought that I was going to die. I have been strangled to f***...’

"He (Mulroy) said: 'I've just come out of prison after doing 16 years for murder'.

“Look at the state of me. I can't believe this.”

Prosecutor Viv Walters told the court: "This case concerns a violent sexual assault by the defendant on this woman."

She said the incident happened on March 27, 2021, in New Road, Chatham, when the woman went to visit Mulroy prior to beginning her job that night as a sex worker.

Prior to the start of the trial, Judge Robert Lazarus told the jury that offering sexual services was not against the law.

While the woman was sitting in his flat, she claimed Mulroy went into his bathroom and emerged wearing his boxers, telling her: "If you want to walk out of here alive, you will play the game."

When she gives evidence, she is expected to claim her clothes were ripped and she was left with bruises after Mulroy barricaded the exit door to his flat with a fridge.

She escaped after telling Mulroy she had to see a client, but instead called a friend and later went to the police station.

Mulroy sent the woman a text message the same night which read: "I am really ashamed. I'm sorry. Please let me be your friend. I'm here for you."

He told police how on an earlier occasion he had invited her around to his flat "for a cuddle" because he had been smoking cocaine and couldn't get an erection.

Mulroy claimed the woman then became aggressive and attacked him when he threatened to throw drugs out of the window.

The trial continues.