Police officer, 55, accused of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another was taking Viagra

A police officer accused of raping a woman and sexually assaulting another he met on Match.com was taking Viagra after struggling with impotence, a court heard.

Michael Darbyshire, 55, attacked his first victim following a date at a pub when he drunk drove to her home and stripped completely naked, it is claimed.

Worcester Crown Court heard he had earlier groped her in the beer garden of a pub in Fernhill Heath, Worcs., before raping her the following day on November 9, 2018.

Darbyshire, a West Mercia Police officer, also allegedly sexually assaulted a second woman on August 29, 2019, he met on dating site Match.com.

The victim claimed he forcibly put her hands down her knickers ‘while making grunting noises’ after being invited to her home.

Worcester Crown Court was told West Mercia Police constable Michael Darbyshire was taking viagra

Jurors were told after the women reported the incidents to police, officers searched Darbyshire’s home and found a packet of Viagra.

In his police interview on November 29, 2019, he admitted he had been taking medication for erectile dysfunction following the death of his partner.

Darbyshire told officers: ‘I do take something that’s herbal stuff I got from a Chinese place – but that tablet is rubbish.

‘I take something for erectile dysfunction as when my partner died a few years ago it really knocked the stuffing out of me and my confidence went and I struggled to get an erection.

‘Not always, just sometimes. The box of that had been found during the search of my accommodation.

‘I think it’s called Medical Express on the internet. If you are suitable they can write to your GP but I have not been given this by my GP.’

He claimed he did not have sex with the woman accusing him of him rape because he had been tired and that they had ‘cuddled and gone to sleep’ instead.

Darbyshire said he began receiving threatening emails from the first alleged victim when he told her he didn’t want a relationship.

West Mercia Police constable Michael Darbyshire denies one count of rape and five counts of sexual assault

He described the woman as ‘clingy’ and ‘hot-headed’ but said they left on good terms when he told her he wasn’t looking for a long-term partner.

Darbyshire added: ‘I was never disrespectful to her. And there was nothing to incite anything she hadn’t wanted to happen happened.

‘There was no feeling of uncomfortableness; it just felt normal lying there and talking.

‘We just cuddled and went to sleep. I didn’t touch her or anything at all. She tried to have sex with me but I didn’t want it I was tired.

‘On Sunday morning there was an atmosphere and things just changed. Something didn’t feel right and I felt uncomfortable and she was quite short and offish.

Worcester Crown Court (pictured) previously heard Darbyshire ‘attacked the women to demonstrate ‘control, power and to satisfy his own sexual cravings’

‘We were talking about going out in the afternoon and straight away I said I can’t guarantee it.

‘I said it would be lovely to go out but I had seen her on Friday and Saturday night and I have still got things I need to sort out.

‘I got the impression that she wanted more and I wasn’t looking for a relationship and I got the impression it was something she wanted.

The court was previously told Darybshire had attacked the women to demonstrate ‘control, power and to satisfy his own sexual cravings and demands.’

He denies one count of rape and five counts of sexual assault.

The trial continues.