A gymnastics coach accused of sexually assaulting a drunk woman who was 'half awake and unable to speak properly' has claimed the complainant could have consented, a court has heard.

Tumbling instructor Alexander Hicken, 23, is said to have abused the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, following a family friend’s party on August 11, 2019.

Today Winchester Crown Court heard Hicken said the intoxicated woman could have consented but 'might have forgotten about it' the next day.

The court saw Instagram messages exchange between the complainant and the defendant, prior to the alleged assault, where Hicken asked her to come to his house for a “one on one party with candles”.

Today the court saw Instagram messages exchange between the complainant and the defendant, prior to the alleged assault, where Hicken asked her to come to his house for a “one on one party with candles”.

The complainant is said to have declined his offer to go to a nightclub instead.

At Winchester Crown Court today (August 25), the jury heard a transcript of Hicken’s police interview, read aloud by prosecution barrister Emily Cook, and the case officer, Detective Constable Sue Champion.

Hicken was asked during a police interview if the woman was coherent enough to provide consent if, hypothetically, any sexual contact were to take place.

The defendant said: "I believe she absolutely could have. It was one of those situations, she could have given consent and then not remembered in the morning."

He also told the court she was " half awake" and giving “lacklustre answers” to questions.

Adding: “So just before we went. I sat at the end of the bed with [the complainant] and asked if she was alright.

“I just felt obligated I suppose to check that she was alright. She was answering questions, I wouldn’t say it was like a really in-depth conversation. When I asked if she was okay she would respond with a noise.”

DC champion told the jury that over the two-day period after the alleged assault, the alleged victim made 27 separate searches on her phone in relation to sexual assault.

These included “how to deal with sexual assault”, “mental health effects of sexual assault and abuse” and “rape and sexual abuse helplines”.

Hicken claims the woman made a sexual advance on him after she threw up in the garden at the party.

He said: “Initially I was asking if she was okay and then I held her hair back because she was complaining that she was getting sick in her hair. Which she was to be fair. As she stopped being sick, she put her hand on my leg.”

He claimed her hand moved from his knee to stoke him on his inner thigh: “As far as I was concerned, she was rubbing it. It was a bit weird but I kind of figured this girl is very, very drunk.”

The court also heard a series of character references from friends and family of Mr Hicken.

The statements described him as a “trustworthy” and “respectful” individual who possessed “gentleness, and integrity”.

One female added: “I have been in social settings with Alex on many occasions and have never felt uncomfortable.”

Previously, the court heard Mr Hicken described as ‘overly sexual’ and he had been accused of acting inappropriately.

A witness, who had been there the night of the party, said it was in Alexander’s “nature” when he is drunk to be “overly flirtatious and sexual”.

The witness also claimed to recall hearing Hicken say “I am going to f*** [the victim]” during the night out.

Hicken, of Loggon Road in Viables, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a female.

The trial continues.