Jowad Haji, 24, is on trial at Warwick Crown Court, accused of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration, and intentional strangulation. The alleged incident occurred in January at the Barberia barbershop.
Prosecutors stated that Haji offered the woman, who remains unnamed for legal reasons, a job at the barbershop after she mentioned she was unemployed. According to the prosecution, Haji commented on the woman's appearance, remarking on her breasts and bottom, and called her a "pretty girl" before offering her a daily wage of between £100 and £150.
The alleged victim was at the barbershop with a friend, who left shortly before the incident. The prosecution claims that after the haircut concluded, Haji invited the woman to the backroom to sign paperwork. During this time, the woman reportedly felt uneasy as Haji beckoned her closer, saying she looked sad. "He then took hold of her hands, pulled her towards him and put his arms around her," Simon Hunka, prosecuting, told the court. "When she tried to push him away, he trapped her arms. He put her wrists together with one hand and put the other hand on her throat, holding her firmly while he tried to kiss her."
The prosecutor alleged that the woman resisted but that Haji continued his assault, including rape and an attempted second rape, before stopping when the woman's friend returned to the shop.
Following the alleged attack, the woman was described as crying, shaking, and wanting to "burn her clothes." She reported the incident to the police in the weeks that followed, leading to Haji's arrest.
Haji denies all charges. His defense claims that he and the alleged victim had kissed consensually on previous occasions and that the woman's account of the events is inaccurate. Haji stated that while they had kissed before, "things never progressed beyond kissing."
The trial is expected to last four days.