Australian actor John Jarratt allegedly smelled of alcohol and remained clothed when he raped a woman 40 years ago, a Sydney court has heard.

The 66-year-old’s trial began on Monday in the Downing Centre District Court, where a jury of heard the complainant was 19 at the time of the alleged incident in 1976.

Prosecutor John Bowers said on the night in question the complainant was woken at 3am by Mr Jarratt, who was dressed in a black leather jacket and smelled of alcohol.

He allegedly pulled the sheet and blanket off the woman, tore off her underpants “with some force”, pinned her down and had sexual intercourse with her for one or two minutes as he covered her mouth.

“She was shocked, and froze in fear,” Mr Bowers said.

“At no stage did she say or do anything at all to indicate to Mr Jarratt that she consented or agreed to have sexual intercourse with him during this incident.”

The court heard the woman would give evidence that Mr Jarratt said words to the effect of “you’re just like a blonde Rosa”, and stayed clothed the entire time.

Mr Bowers said the pair did not speak of the incident afterwards.

Actor’s wife to give evidence

The court heard Mr Jarratt’s wife, Rosa Miano, is expected to give evidence that the complainant remained “friendly” and made no complaints about Mr Jarratt.

The court also heard Ms Miano would recall a conversation with her husband during marital difficulties in 1984, where he admitted to having sex with the woman, but claimed she “willingly” participated.

Ms Miano was also expected to recall a conversation from 1990 in which she told the complainant that Mr Jarratt had cheated and referred to the intercourse as “only a one-night stand”, the jury was told.

Mr Jarratt voluntarily attended Maroubra Police Station in May last year to speak about the allegations and supplied a typed statement and participated in an interview.

The court heard Mr Jarratt, who has pleaded not guilty, told police the alleged incident took place on the night he won the lead role in the film, Summer City, and he had been out to dinner with the director.

He claimed he and the complainant both “willingly participated in consensual sex”, Mr Bowers said.

According to Mr Jarratt, the woman repeatedly asked him to keep it quiet so as not to wake up his wife, the court heard.

The trial continues.

-ABC