A FORMER Gloucestershire Police student officer who was based in the Forest of Dean is on trial over allegations he raped and sexually assaulted two women while off duty.

Craig Winston, now 36, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Thursday, December 4, where jurors heard claims said to have taken place during his time working in the Forest.

The trial follows charges brought last year involving two complainants, both of whom later provided detailed accounts to investigators.

Prosecutors said Mr Winston, of Bassaleg Road, Newport, was “controlling and manipulative”, and that the alleged assaults happened while the women were asleep or “heavily intoxicated”. He denies all nine charges.

Mr Ahmed Hossein KC, prosecuting, said both women described him as “obsessive”, and the court heard that Google searches on Winston’s phone included “sex with sleeping women”.

Outlining the case, Mr Hossein told jurors: “Craig Winston is a manipulative man who raped one of these women and sexually assaulted the other to satisfy his obsession.”

One woman said she woke to find Mr Winston sexually touching her. The second complainant told the jury he called her a “sex slave” to pay off “debts”, used derogatory names, and pressured her into sex acts she did not want to perform.

Jurors also heard he allegedly tried to persuade her not to speak to police or provide a statement, forming a charge of perverting the course of justice.

Winston, who resigned from the Force in February 2023, is also accused of stalking one of the women. Mr Hossein said he admitted “off the record” after his arrest that he was “obsessed” with her.

“Craig Winston embarked on a series of actions designed to impact her mental health and wellbeing,” Mr Hossein said.

Mr Winston remains on bail as the trial continues.