Song was 'not an invitation to rape', Layfield jury told

A woman who claims she was raped by her teacher at a Manchester music school has given evidence to his trial.

Malcolm Layfield, 63, is said to have used his "power and influence" to rape the then 18-year-old student in the back of his car during a trip to Cornwall in the early 1980s.

Giving evidence before the jury today, his accuser denied she willingly had sex in the vehicle with the defendant, who taught her at Chetham's School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).

Earlier on the night of the alleged rape she agreed she performed a song called The Masochism Tango, wearing a black dress and fishnet stockings, as part of a cabaret to mark the end of the excursion .

Benjamin Myers QC, representing Layfield, said to the complainant: "You put yourself centre stage in a highly sexualised song directed straight at Mr Layfield?"

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, replied: "Mr Layfield said I want you to do a cabaret and I want you to sing."

She denied trying to impress him and said she could have chosen "a raunchy song" such as Hey Big Spender.

• Amy Welch reports from Manchester Crown Court:

Mr Meyers read to the jury at Manchester Crown Court the opening lyrics of the Masochism Song by Tom Lehrer, which, he put to her, were "quite suggestive".

The song goes: "I ache for the touch of your lips dear, But much more for the touch of your whips dear, You can raise welts like nobody else, As we dance to the Masochism Tango." It continues: "At your command, before you here I stand, My heart is in my hand.

"It's here that I must be, My heart entreats, just hear those savage beats, And go put on your cleats, And come and trample me."

The complainant said to the barrister: "It does not matter what people sing or choose to wear, this is not an invitation to rape."

Layfield, of Castle Quay, Castlefield, Manchester, denies rape.