A man accused of raping and attempting to murder a woman in Trowse, near Norwich, almost 20 years ago told a jury he has 'never forgotten' about what happened that night.

Peter Carroll, 55, of Barnsbury Avenue, Aylesbury, Bucks, denies attempted murder, raping and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to a woman in the White Horse Lane area of Trowse, Norwich, on Saturday, July 20 1996. Norwich Crown Court has heard the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, worked as a prostitute at the time.

Jon Swain, defending, yesterday asked if, after the alleged incident, Carroll had 'made contact' with people on the area to find out what had happened and if she was alright.

He said he did make contact with someone and discovered 'she was fine'.

Mr Swain asked if he had ever forgotten about that night.

Carroll said: 'I've never forgotten about it.'

Mr Swain asked why it was he pushed his hand on her throat.

Carroll said: 'Because she attacked me, she stuck her fingers in my eyes.'

The defendant said he grabbed her with his 'left hand, not both'.

He said: 'I probably was trying to press down on soft tissue because I know it hurts and they will let go – its just a way of getting someone away from you.

'But I cannot say because her fingers were in my eyes so I was just grabbing.'

Mr Swain said: 'Did you do any more than you felt was necessary in the circumstances.'

Carroll replied: 'It just happened so quickly. She grabbed me and I grabbed her and that was it.'

Mr Carroll asked if he was intending to cause the woman 'really serious harm'.

He said: 'I didn't intend to do anything. 'All I did was probably fight her off.'

Mr Carroll was asked if he was proud of what he did that night.

He said: 'I'm not proud of it. It's something that's always been on my mind. I don't go round beating people up or hurting people. If anything I'm a gentle person.'

John Farmer, in cross examination, put it to Carroll that something in his head 'flipped' and that he was seeking the 'ultimate experience' of having sex with someone he had just killed.

The defendant rebuffed the suggestion describing it as a 'pretty sick' thing to say.

The trial continues.