ONLY an extraordinary number of coincidences could explain away the charges against the man on trial for the rape of three prostitutes a court heard.

Kristopher Searle had denied eight counts of rape and one count of kidnap.

Giving his closing arguments yesterday, Ian Lawrie, for the prosecution told the jury at Swindon Crown Court there were too many key coincidences for the defendant's version of events to add up.

He said: "Is it just coincidence that these three women alleging rape all happened to be taken to these isolated spots?

"Coincidences aside can I ask you to look at the defendant's explanation or lack of when they arose."

Mr Lawrie argued Searle had been evasive when questioned in court and was fudging answers to crucial questions because he knew the truth would incriminate him.

"It's possible, I can't remember' is not good enough and not an adequate answer," said Mr Lawrie.

He pointed out various inconsistencies in Searle's version of events between his initial interviews and the courtroom testimony.

In regard to an alleged rape on one of the women at his home in Deerhurst Way, Searle claimed he had gone out to get cigarettes from ASDA, but could not remember which store.

Mr Lawrie remained sceptical about this loss of memory and claimed the heroin Searle referred to taking was invented to aid his case, while the outing was invented to create the illusion the prostitute had been free to leave.

According to the prosecution research has proved neither of the ASDA stores in Swindon could have provided such an item at the time given.

Mr Lawrie said: "There are significant features in his interview that suggests that in fact he has been caught out and has been landed with an assertion that he cannot squirm out of easily."

The prosecution also drew attention to Searle's attitude to prostitutes as a good indication of his character.

On his arrest for one accusation of rape, Mr Searle had said that everyone knew what this particular woman was like and what she did for a living.

Mr Lawrie said: "Does that in some way give us an indication of the hallmark of this man and his attitude to these offences?"

He added: "Does the fact that he was having sex without a condom give you some assistance to know what he was up to?"

He pointed out the forensic evidence provided during the case and also appealed to the jury to give credence to the testimony of the victims who all phoned the police soon after the attacks happened and did not have the advantage of time before making their statements.

Mr Lawrie said you could hear the women's distress in the phone calls made after the attack heard earlier in the case.

He asked why these prostitutes would go through the trauma of a trial unless they had genuinely suffered at the hands of Searle.

The court also heard from a witness for the defence who lived in the room next to Searle in Deerhurst Way.

He said he had not heard anything on the night one of the rapes allegedly took place and said he had seen the victim leave apparently unharmed the next morning.

The trial continues.