A man from Oxford has appeared in court facing sexual abuse charges involving four women over a period spanning two decades, a jury has been told.

Shaun Smith, who resides on Bernwood Road in Headington, is standing trial at Oxford Crown Court.

The defendant, aged 46, has denied one charge of rape, one charge of sexual assault and two charges of assault by penetration.

The alleged rape is said to have occurred in 2000, while the sexual assault is alleged to have taken place in 2012.

The two assault by penetration charges relate to incidents said to have happened in March 2017 and August 2022.

Charles Ward-Jackson is presenting the prosecution case to the jury on Monday, March 23.

He stated that each of the alleged incidents was an isolated occurrence that happened spontaneously during periods of alcohol consumption.

He noted that the conduct spans a 20-year timeframe.

The court was told the first alleged offence occurred following an evening out at a venue named Downtown Manhattan in Oxford in 2000.

At the end of the evening, Smith is said to have been present in a flat in Oxford along with three other individuals.

The prosecution informed the jury that the alleged complainant was asleep but awoke to discover that some of her garments had been taken off.

The woman claimed that Smith was engaging in sexual intercourse with her.

He further stated that the woman could not have given consent because she was unconscious. She had no romantic or sexual interest in Smith whatsoever.

She was unsure how to respond. He departed the room and she remained there, weeping until she fell asleep.

The jury heard that the second alleged incident is said to have happened at a property in Sussex in 2012.

Smith is said to have climbed into bed with a couple after consuming alcohol. He is then alleged to have made sexual contact with the woman.

The woman’s partner awoke and confronted Smith angrily. He subsequently left the room, the court was told.

The jury heard that the third incident is said to have occurred on March 17, 2017 after Smith had been drinking with companions at The Six Bells in Headington.

Smith invited a woman to his residence, which she accepted. She went to bed and subsequently awoke to find Smith beside her, making sexual contact.

The jury heard that this matter was reported to police shortly afterwards and Smith was taken into custody.

He maintained that the woman had been conscious and had agreed to the sexual activity.

The fourth incident is said to have occurred on August 6 2022 at Smith’s residence.

A woman fell asleep on his settee and awoke to find Smith beside her, making sexual contact, the jury heard.

Mr Ward-Jackson informed the jury that the first, second and fourth incidents were reported to police in 2022.

The jury was shown a recorded interview with the complainant in the second incident.

She stated that she wished to come forward because he cannot continue his behaviour. It is a pattern of conduct.

The trial is ongoing.