A MAN has described finding 'the victim of a brutal and horrific rape' lying beaten in undergrowth.

Standing before Winchester Crown Court, he told how walking through the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth he heard moaning.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, the witness said how it sounded like someone was struggling to breathe or even survive.

When he saw a woman’s legs poking out from beneath some bushes he ran over and threw his jacket over her beaten and naked body as it was “freezing cold” that November 13 morning last year, the court heard.

He described how he was frozen in shock himself but managed to phone the police.

His witness account was given during the trial of Luke West.

West, 29, from Southampton, is accused of rape and grievous bodily harm with intent against a 40-year-old woman.

Yesterday, prosecutor Robert Bryan told the court how West’s alleged victim had been violently, physically assaulted and raped.

The jury heard how she was left needing surgery and a titanium mesh fitted after suffering a fractured eye socket.

In a police interview, the victim said how someone attacked her from behind and grabbed her with both hands around her neck.

The woman added that when she started screaming, her attacker put his hand over her mouth and started suffocating her, the court was told.

The trial heard that she feared for her life and thought she 'was dying' and remembers waking up in an ambulance.

West denies the charges.

The trial at Winchester Crown Court continues.