A MAN has been accused of repeatedly raping a woman at her home, throttling and threatening to kill her, while his own wife had reported him missing.

Exeter Crown Court was told Nigel Johnson's case is that the woman was having a secret affair with him, they had consensual sex and then argued that night.

Johnson, 49, of Hawthorn Road, Whipton, has pleaded not guilty to twice raping the woman in an alleged incident in Exeter earlier this year.

Prosecutor Sean Brunton, giving his opening speech, said Johnson's wife reported him missing to police that night after she wondered where he was.

It is alleged that Johnson had meanwhile visited the woman, who was an acquaintance, and she had a drink with him.

"As the evening wore on, he forced himself on her," said Mr Brunton.

"She asked him to leave on numerous occasions and he raped her. At no time did she consent to these acts and the defendant did not leave until her boyfriend arrived."

Mr Brunton said the woman had never been in a relationship with Johnson or had any contact with him such as phone calls or text messages.

"He put his hands around her neck and started to throttle her, saying 'if you don't, you will die'," said Mr Brunton.

"She pushed him off and went to the bathroom. There was a moment of calm. When she came out, he grabbed her, pulled her by the hair and forced her to kiss him."

Paramedics later took the woman to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, where it was discovered she had a bruised face and body and loose hair.

The defendant told police he visited her, they had a kiss and she had harshly undone his trousers during consensual sexual activity, before her mood changed and she asked him to leave. Johnson said he had not been in the woman's bedroom.

The trial continues.