JURORS have retired to consider their verdicts in the trial of a man accused of repeatedly raping two prostitutes.
Ronald Cooney, 29, is alleged to have held two separate women captive in his home on July 3 last year and March 30 this year before attacking them.
Liverpool crown court jurors have heard he threatened to kill one of the women and subjected both of them to degrading and humiliating violence.
Cooney, of Gaywood Green, Kirkby, denies eight counts of rape against the two women, aged 29 and 37, claiming the sex was consensual.
He insisted he never even “raised his voice” to the women and told jurors the second alleged victim was only in his home for about 15 minutes.
Following a week-long trial, jurors retired yesterday to consider their verdicts. They were unable to reach a decision and will continue their discussions today.
