James Keats's accuser finishes testimony at rape trial

The 72-year-old Annapolis Valley woman who says she was raped by paramedic James Duncan Keats has finished testifying at his sexual assault trial.

The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, was the first person to testify. She alleges that Keats sexually assaulted her twice; once during an incident in her home and another time during an ambulance ride to hospital.

This is the first time I've been to court and I feel like I'm a criminal.- Alleged rape victim

On Monday, she was briefly questioned by Crown Prosecutor BillFergusson. The remainder of her time on the stand, the woman faced cross-examination by Keatss lawyer, ChrystalMacAulay.

On Friday,MacAulayasked the woman if she was angry.

Any woman thats raped is angry, the woman replied.

Youd like to see him pay for what he did, asked MacAulay.

Id like to see him go to jail, the woman said.

When MacAulay questioned the womans recollection of events, the woman replied, I dont think I could give you a better one.

I think I have a perfect recollection, she added.

Not a dream

The woman also angrily dismissed suggestions from MacAulay that she might have dreamed some of the things shes alleging.

The woman spoke of her first encounter with RCMP investigators. I was interviewed for three hours. I didnt change my story then, Im not going to change it now.

Fergusson objected to MacAulays questions on several occasions but Judge Claudine MacDonald allowed the defence to continue.

At one point, the complainant turned to MacDonald and said, This is the first time Ive been to court, your honour, and I feel like Im a criminal.

MacDonald assured her the questioning was necessary.

When MacAulay finished her cross-examination, the court moved into a voir direto assess a statement Keats gave police after his arrest.

MacAulay is opposed to having the statement used as evidence. MacDonald has to view the entire eight-hour interrogation before deciding whether it can be used.

The court only made it part-way through viewing the video Friday afternoon before adjourning. The case is scheduled to resume next month.

Keats is also facing sexual assault allegations from five women in the Halifax-area. Hes due to appear in Nova Scotia Supreme Court later this month to set trial dates for those charges.