making her break down and cry on the witness stand.

The 29-year-old German claimed Archibald Warner was "aggressive and picky'' when he repeatedly asked her to explain her evidence.

The alleged victim, who sobbed after two-and-a-half hours on the stand, even said Mr. Warner made her feel like the accused person -- and disrespected her as a woman.

She told The Royal Gazette : "I felt like I was the defendant myself. I felt like I was on trial.'' And the Smith's Parish woman denied any language barrier made communication in court more difficult.

"It wasn't the language,'' she said. "I was trying to say something but he wasn't listening properly. He would not let me express myself the way I wanted to. He just wanted a yes or a no.'' Mr. Warner, Bermuda's newest magistrate after building up years of experience as a leading defence lawyer, frequently stopped the woman as she gave evidence in the trial.

He asked her to give more direct answers to lawyers' questions and explain her language.

But she said she had to speak out when his tone caused her to cry.

"He was very aggressive,'' she said. "I felt like he was attacking me and my lawyer... I felt like I wasn't taken seriously for my complaint.

Mr. Warner would not comment on the case when contacted last night.

He said: "As a magistrate, I am not permitted to make a comment. I don't think it would be proper.''