The mother of an Army corporal accused of trying to rape a businesswoman at a luxury seafront hotel described the alleged victim as a "cheeky madam".

Jonathan Brockhouse, 34, is accused of attempting to rape the woman at The Grand hotel in Brighton.

Brockhouse, who was at the five-star hotel celebrating a family birthday in September last year, started chatting to the saleswoman, who was attending another function, and she invited him to her bedroom for a drink.

She told a jury at Hove Crown Court she made it clear to him in the lift that she did not want sex, only somewhere less crowded to sit and talk to him.

Inside the bedroom Brockhouse, who was wearing his uniform and medals, started to strip off and attacked her when she rejected his advances.

He pushed her on to the bed and she screamed for help while struggling to get free.

He left and the police were later alerted.

Brockhouse, who has since left the Army and is now a professional sailor, has denied trying to force himself on to her.

He told the jury they kissed for a few minutes but she became angry when he said he wanted to return to his brother's birthday party in the bar.

She launched herself at him to stop him from leaving and in the struggle he may have caused bruises to her arms and wrists as he restrained her to stop her attacking him.

His mother, Wendy Hartley, told the jury on the fifth day of the trial how the alleged victim, who lives in Hampshire, had wandered uninvited into their party and helped herself to their wine before attaching herself to her son.

She said: "I thought she was a cheeky madam."

Mrs Hartley said the woman sat on a guest's knee and tried to encourage a singalong which no one joined in.

She said: "She was being flirty, provocative and noisy.

"She circulated again and then sat next to Jonathan and put her hand on his thigh.

"The last time I saw her, she and Jonathan were walking towards the lifts.

"They each had a glass in their hand and she had hold of his arm."

Brockhouse, of Beehive Walk, Portsmouth, denies attempted rape and indecent assault.

The trial continues.