A SOUTHAMPTON man accused of raping and beating a woman leaving her needing surgery maintains his innocence.

Luke West says he is “100 per cent” the wrong man in the dock, a court heard.

The 29-year-old is accused of rape and grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent against a 40-year-old woman found bloodied following an incident in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens on November 13.

West, of Warren Avenue, denies all charges against him and claims to have fought with the woman’s actual attacker.

Summing up at Winchester Crown Court, defence barrister Paul Walker said: “Why is he [West] maintaining his plea of not guilty?

“Why is he saying to twelve people he does not want to plead guilty to something he has not done? This is something worth considering.”

The jury has now heard all evidence and Judge Keith Cutler has begun summing up the trial.

As previously reported, the jury heard how when West was arrested in connection with the rape he exclaimed: “What have I done? Wow. No, definitely not. What? You’re kidding me.”

When asked before if he was the wrong man in the dock, West responded “100 per cent”.

West says he remained silent during police interviews because he was following advice from his legal team.

He later claimed he went out for a walk and fought with a man who he says attacked the victim.

When asked in court why he had not given this information during his interviews, West said: “I can’t answer. I have made mistakes.”

West denies the charges and the trial continues.