A self-confessed former ‘womaniser’ standing trial for a string of sex offences against eight alleged victims has insisted he has ‘100% respect’ for women and is no rapist.

Nick Crawshaw broke down at one point as he took the stand to give evidence on the eighth day of his retrial at Warrington Crown Court today (October 13).

The 23-year-old, of West Street in Hoole , has repeatedly denied the six counts of rape, three sexual assaults and two assaults by penetration he is charged with, claiming that sexual activity he had with some of the complainants was entirely consensual or that the alleged contact did not happen at all.

He became tearful when he told members of the jury of rumours about him which he said ‘started at a young age and then all of a sudden everything changed’.

During tense cross-examination by prosecution counsel Simon Mills, Crawshaw variously branded the eight women’s allegations either rumours which have gone too far or ‘100% fabrication’.

He also suggested that some of the complainants – who are friends with each each other – have colluded to make up false allegations to strengthen each other’s claims.

When asked bluntly by Mr Mills whether he had ever raped or sexually assaulted any of the women, Crawshaw replied ‘no, no, never’.

He admitted he used to be a ‘player’ and a ‘womaniser’ when he was around 17, but stressed that he is ‘not a rapist’.

Crawshaw explained that his definition of a womaniser was someone who ‘tries to get with as many girls as he could to beat his friends’.

“I have always respected women 100%,” said the defendant of his attitude towards women.

“My mum always used to have a go at me for being a womaniser.

“Being young and stupid, it would go in one ear and out the other but that does not mean I would ever hurt a woman.”

Members of the jury were shown a photo of the defendant at Chester’s Cruise nightclub holding a banner for a crisp-themed club night with two other men.

The prosecution contend that the picture was taken on the July 2012 night that the eighth complainant alleges Crawshaw raped her in one of the club’s toilets, and that it ‘conclusively’ proves he was there.

But Crawshaw denies being at Cruise that night as he was skint and had an early flight to Turkey the following day.

He told the court that the photo was ‘100%’ snapped when he got back from Turkey in around mid to late August, and that it shows him wearing a replica Rolex watch which he purchased when he was in Istanbul during that trip.

Crawshaw spoke critically of the police and how he feels they have handled the investigation as he gave his evidence.

He revealed that he does not trust them and he ‘got fed up wasting my breath and energy talking to them’ as he did not believe they were investigating both sides.

The trial continues.