An Orpington man battered a woman after she told him she didn’t fancy him, a jury has heard.

Matthew Ashley, a 51-year-old of Batchwood Green, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, March 27, accused of grievous bodily harm. 

Giving the case against Ashley, Prosecutor Richard Paton-Philip said that Ashley had taken the woman for a day at the beach at Camber Sands on August 7, 2022. 

There had been a "frosty" atmosphere on the car journey back to Orpington so upon arrival the woman left and went to a friend's house, Mr Paton-Philip said. 

That evening Ashley sent her messages asking her to come back to his house and when she agreed he picked her up in his car later that evening, Mr Paton-Philip told the jury. 

“There was a conversation which moved into talking about him wanting a relationship with her,” Mr Paton-Philip said. 

“She was very clear that was not what she wanted. She said she didn’t want a relationship with him, and she did not fancy him at all.” 

She continued to “humour” him but made it clear she wasn’t interested but as she tried to leave Ashley launched a “concerted attack” on her, Mr Paton-Philip alleged. 

He said that the victim was screaming for help as Ashley rained down blows with his fists, told her to “shut up” and at one point strangled her. 

After the attack had eneded Ashley sent the victim to a bedroom where she passed out, Mr Paton-Philip alleged. 

The next morning when she woke up in a bed covered in blood she hobbled out into the street where she was helped by members of the public who phone the police, the prosecutor said. 

The woman fractured an eye socket, her ribs and her foot during the course of the attack, Mr Paton-Philip told the jury.

Ashley has pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, as well as an alternative charge of grievous bodily harm without intent. 

The trial continues and is expected to last four days.