A young woman who claims her ex-boyfriend abducted and seriously sexually assaulted her repeatedly lied to Police to shield him from charges of having unlawful carnal knowledge, an officer with the service's juvenile division yesterday told the man's Supreme Court trial.

Under questioning from Crown counsel Khamisi M. Tokunbo, Sgt. Sharman Marcus confirmed Police were aware of the illicit love affair and made repeated attempts to have the complainant -- who entered into the relationship at age 13 -- lay charges.

"Would it be correct to say that there were several steadfast efforts made to get her to press charges against the defendant and that she lied to protect him from the Police?'' said Mr. Tokunbo.

"Yes,'' replied Sgt. Marcus.

The complainant has charged that on the night of August 12 1994, the accused -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- grabbed her from behind as she was walking near Victoria Park in Hamilton. He forced her across the park and into a waiting van owned by his employer.

From there it is alleged, he took her to his employer's Dundonald Street warehouse where he used an illegal key to gain entrance. Once inside she claims the accused beat, raped and violently sexually assaulted her with a metal object. The young woman claims she was pregnant at the time and suffered a miscarriage as a result of her injuries. Medical evidence presented earlier in the trial confirmed she had a total miscarriage.

In winding up its case the defence called five witnesses, including two Police officers and two girlfriends of the accused who told the ten-woman, two-man jury how they were attacked and threatened by the complainant.

One witness -- wiping tears from her eyes -- told the court how on the night of her birthday she was sitting with the accused on a park bench when the complainant "came out of nowhere and before I knew it she jumped on my lap and grabbed a hold of my ear with her teeth.'' Central to the defence is the complainant's past history of obsession and attacks -- she has admitted to attacking the accused's current girlfriend with a machete six days prior to the events of August 12.

"You've heard from all the other witnesses about the machete attack,'' said defence counsel Kim Wilson in her closing address to the jury.

"If (the complainant) would go after someone with a machete she's certainly the type who would lie on the stand to seek revenge.'' The defence contends the complainant fabricated the entire incident to get back at the accused for trying to end their relationship. Ms Wilson closed out her submission quoting William Congreve: "Heav'n has no rage like love to hatred turned. Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorned.'' "Keep one thing in mind,'' Mr. Tokunbo told the jury in his closing address.

"There's only one person on trial here and I'm sure you won't be confused by the defence's attempts to put (the complainant) on trial.'' Defence evidence he contended, such as love letters and cards written by the complainant can be looked at another way. "Those letters are an appeal for him to respect her. He was exploiting her, playing games with her head.'' Calling the defendant a "two-timing, womanising cheat. A self-confessed lover of young girls,'' Mr. Tokunbo told the jury the accused is lying when he says he went to the warehouse to break up with the complainant.

"He tells you she's dangerous, obsessed. He didn't trust her or what she'd do. Then he tells you he takes her to his employer's warehouse; this private secluded place knowing she gets hostile.

"He holds her hand... this obsessed girl who has been threatening him all along. He's concocted this story; doing anything he can to get out,'' said Mr.

Tokunbo. The jury, following instructions from Puisne Judge Norma Wade, is expected to hand down its verdict today.