The trial of a foreign national charged with sexually assaulting a 27-year-old woman in her own home began in Supreme Court, yesterday.

Assistant Justice Charles-Etta Simmons and the six man, six woman jury heard chilling testimony yesterday of how the 28-year-old man, who the victim thought was her boyfriend, forced himself on her in the early hours of March 23, this year.

The man, who does not speak English and spoke through an interpreter, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

He is represented by defence lawyer Patrick Doherty and cannot be named for legal reasons.

The woman, shared a home with a roommate in Bermuda for five months until the time of the incident and was here working for an overseas firm.

The victim said that on the night of March 22 she and about eight of her friends, including her boyfriend, were socialising at the Swizzle Inn in Hamilton Parish.

She said the accused man watched the group from a nearby table and she danced with him twice - although reluctantly.

"I wanted to dance with my boyfriend, but he didn't want to dance, and then this man came and took me by the hand - and I danced with him. I didn't feel very comfortable dancing - I didn't like the way he pulled me up. Rather than cause a scene, I'd go along and be polite."

The woman said they left at about 2.30 a.m. and one of her friends invited the man back to her house for more drinks.

Once home, the woman said she went to bed after speaking to her boyfriend briefly.

"I don't wear anything to bed and I always sleep with the blanket around my neck," she said.

"I woke up and felt someone on top of me, I though it was my boyfriend. It was dark and I had taken my contacts out. I saw dark hair - I saw the man I was dancing with and I shouted to him to get off of me, but he carried on - he was thrusting himself inside me. So I started shouting for help.

"The man jumped off and I jumped out of the bed."

The case continues today, with the victim taking the stand to continue her testimony.