A photo put on Facebook shows Nicholas Crawshaw in Cruise nightclub on the night he allegedly raped a woman when he denied ever being there, it was claimed in court.

The 23-year-old has said he did not go to the event at the club in July 2012. But the prosecution produced a photo of Crawshaw which they claim shows he was there.

A complainant has accused him of raping her in the toilet on that night.

Crawshaw, of West Street, Hoole, is accused of 16 sex offences, including 10 rapes, against seven victims between 2010 and 2015. His trial is currently ongoing at Warrington Crown Court where he denies all charges.

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Simon Mills, prosecuting, said: “It’s accepted that we can identify the person in the middle of the picture is Nicholas Crawshaw. There’s also a very unique watermark in the corner which is the Beans logo.”

Cruise nightclub, St John Street, Chester
Cruise nightclub, St John Street, Chester

The weekly Beans student nights are hosted at Cruise.

The photo posted to the weekly event’s Facebook page showed Crawshaw with two other men holding up a sign.

During the evening cannons were firing snacks on to the dancefloor and a promotional offer meant anyone who brought a bag would get a free alcholic shot.

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Nightclub promoter Mike Hannigan, organiser of the Beans nights, said Cruise only ever hosted one such night as the snack had left the club smelling like pickled onion ‘for weeks’.

Mark Le Brocq, defending, suggested the picture was taken in a different venue where a similar night was held.

He said to Mr Hannigan: “You’ve said you knew Nicholas Crawshaw but on you don’t recall actually seeing him there.”

Mr Hannigan said to the best of his knowledge it was the VIP area of Cruise in the background of the photo and it was highly unlikely the photographer had made a mistake.

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The alleged victim said Crawshaw took her into a toilet and raped her.

She has said she was too drunk to consent and he made no effort to secure her consent during the incident.

Crawshaw insists it never happened and denies all the charges against him.

The trial at Warrington Crown Court continues.