A MAN has gone on trial accused of raping and robbing a woman in a Bournemouth churchyard.

Jason Rogers, of Glenmeadows Drive in Kinson, is alleged to have told the homeless woman to "kiss the ground" during the reported attack in the grounds of St Peter's Church.

Prosecutors allege that the defendant, 26, threatened to "slit" the complainant "from ear to ear" during the incident on July 26 last year.

During the first day of a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday, jurors heard Rogers first met the woman as she begged in the town centre.

It is alleged that the defendant later followed the complainant through the town, catching up to her outside Greggs in Old Christchurch Road.

He then offered to pay her £20 in return for a sex act upon him - an offer which was accepted by the complainant, the court heard.

The two then walked together to the grounds of St Peter's, Mr Jones said.

However, prosecutor Simon Jones said that once in the churchyard, the woman felt a "whack to her head".

"The defendant instructed her to lay down. He kept telling her not to turn around," Mr Jones said.

"If she turned around, [the defendant said] he was going to slit her from ear to ear."

The complainant told the court she believed the defendant had a knife, but did not see one.

Following the alleged rape, Mr Jones said Rogers forced the woman to hand over the money she had collected begging, jurors heard.

It is alleged that he called her "homeless scum" and said he wanted to "burn [rough sleepers] alive".

"He told her not to move for 20 minutes," the prosecutor said.

"If she got up, he said he would cut her up."

The complainant began to scream and Rogers fled, it was heard.

The police were immediately called after the woman asked for a passer-by to call 999, the court was told.

Robert Grey, defending Rogers, read aloud extracts written by a sergeant who attended the scene.

"'Upset. Very concerned about the theft of £15. Did not disclose rape right away,'" the barrister said.

"[You appear to have been] more concerned about the money than anything else."

Mr Grey alleged that the woman had engaged in consensual sex with the defendant after a price had been agreed for the sex act.

Rogers denies rape and robbery.

The trial continues.