Daniel Gravell rape trial live: Friend shouted 'go on' after walking in on ex-teacher and alleged victim

The friend of a man accused of raping three women over a 20-year period shouted "go on" after walking in on the defendant receiving oral sex from one of the alleged victims, a court has heard. Daniel Gravell, a 43-year-old former teacher and wedding venue manager, is charged with three counts of rape relating to separate incidents in 2002, 2005 and 2022.

On Thursday Swansea Crown Court heard Gravell, who denies the charges, was walked in by a friend Ieuan Davies while one of the alleged victims was giving the defendant oral sex in 2022. A statement read on Mr Davies' behalf said he opened the door and the woman stopped and pulled the sheet over herself, and Mr Davies shouted “something like ‘go on Gravsy!’”

Standing in the dock at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, Gravell, answered questions from his defence barrister Tom Crowther KC and from prosecution barrister Matthew Cobbe. Don’t miss a court report by signing upto our crime newsletter here.

Gravell said he remembered having sex with the first complainant. He told the court it was “common knowledge” that he had slept with the complainant but he said the world rape was “never used” until he was arrested years later. During cross-examination on Wednesday Gravell was asked by prosecution barrister Matthew Cobbe about the allegation that he told a friend about that night. “Did you realise you were boasting about rape?” asked Mr Cobbe. “No, it wasn’t rape and I haven’t boasted about it once," replied Gravell.

The second complainant in the case alleges that Gravell raped her outside Carmarthen Athletic Club in June 2005. He said he did not know the complainant but recognised her from the area and spotted her outside a pub on Lammas Street in Carmarthen.

He told the court that