The jury has retired to reach a verdict in the trial of a Britain's Got Talent finalist accused of raping two women.
Andrew Johnston, 30, took part in the TV show as a performer in 2008 and, after finishing third, signed a lucrative contract with Simon Cowell's label.
He is currently on trial at Southwark Crown Court charged with the rape and sexual assault of one woman and the rape of another.
Prosecutors allege he removed the condom twice during intercourse and continued the sexual relationship.
One of the women also claimed he touched her buttocks and kissed her when she saw him at the club.
The alleged offences took place several years after Johnston rose to fame as a choir singer on an ITV show, prosecutor Maryam Sayed told jurors earlier.
Ms Syed said Johnston “engaged in consensual sexual activity” with one of the women, but he allegedly removed the condom and she “repeatedly asked Mr Johnston to stop” but he did not.
The woman told jurors that after the alleged rape she stayed overnight because she “felt cold”.
Another woman told police she had consensual sex with the singer and asked him to use a condom.
The woman said she felt his hands on her neck and “no matter how many times she moved them away” he continued to squeeze her throat again, Ms Syed said.
He then allegedly stopped and removed the condom before continuing the sexual intercourse.
During cross-examination, the court was told that Johnston claimed both women had told “complete lies”.
He described his lovemaking as “quick, energetic, maybe a little passionate” but told jurors he was never aggressive, always used a condom and the sex was consensual.
Johnston told the court that since the charges were brought against him he had “never sung a note”, that he suffered from depression, his mental state was “terrible” and that he had broken up with his girlfriend.
The singer, who was born in Dumfries, Scotland but moved there when he was about eight months old, released an album that reached number four in the UK charts and went on tour with other Britain's Got Talent finalists.
Johnston, of Newtown Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, denies all charges.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
