A GWENT woman who was allegedly kidnapped and raped in Newport took to the witness box today to give evidence.

Paul Brand, 20, of Buttermore Way, Newport, is alleged to have taken the woman, in her twenties, to a remote spot in Llanwern Village in the early hours of October 14 before raping her and driving off.

The court heard that after 4am, the woman decided to walk home after drinking in several bars, pubs and clubs in the city centre.

As she walked she met a car driven by Brand with his friend Lee Chapman also inside.

She said the two men offered her a lift home and after initially declining, she eventually got into the front passenger seat. Instead of going straight home she agreed to drive around the city with the two men.

She said she argued with Mr Chapman but felt at ease with Brand.

"I asked the driver to tell him to shut up and he did, so at that point I didn't feel threatened at all," she said.

Brand drove to the viewpoint on Christchurch Road where she said Brand asked her if she wanted to go back to his house. She said no.

Harry Baker, defending, suggested it was the woman's idea to go to the viewpoint and she was "in charge of the situation."

At the viewpoint, Mr Baker said, the woman kissed, bit and touched Brand, something she denied.

She said she kissed Brand as they later reached a lay-by she believed was on Royal Oak Hill. She said she kissed him in the hope he would take her home.

As they drove on the woman said the mood soured.

She said Brand drove to a country lane where he pulled her from the car by her hair, pushed her to the floor and raped her, before driving off.

She told the court she never screamed or said no during the alleged rape because she was scared of what would happen to her.

"My life was in his hands," she said.

Proceeding.