31 Aug 2015

Trial of custody officer accused of rape begins

7:05 pm on 31 August 2015

A woman has told a jury how a police custody officer she met on the dating website Zoosk raped her and then dropped her off at a gas station with no money.

Shane Brian Clayden, who is 39, was on trial at the Auckland District Court today after pleading not guilty to two charges of rape and unlawful sexual connection.

The Crown said the pair met on the dating website Zoosk and arranged to meet up for dinner and drinks in June 2013.

The woman of Thai descent tearfully recounted, through a translator, how she thought she was meeting Mr Clayden for coffee in Birkenhead.

The 34-year-old said he picked her up, and despite her saying she was scared for her life, drove her to his house in Whangaparoa.

She said Mr Clayden showed off his blue police uniform, raped her and then dropped her off at a gas station in Silverdale.

The defence argued the pair had consensual sex.