A man on trial for rape has been described as being of “exceptional” character.

Maximillian Hessel, of Peat Moors, Headington, Oxford, denies committing the crime in June last year.

The 22-year-old had been drinking heavily and smoking cannabis and told the jury he only remembered going to sleep and waking up with a woman shouting at him.

Yesterday Jeannie Mackie, defending, said the German engineering student, who was on a placement at the BMW plant in Cowley, was well-regarded.

Committing the offence, even after drinking too much, would have been completely out of character.

Miss Mackie said: “You can look at Max Hessel’s character with a good deal of admiration.”

The trial continues and the jury is expected to retire this morning.