A prostitute who says she was raped by a threatening client has admitted in court that she was a drug addict at the time.

She told of her addiction when she was being cross-examined at the trial of the client, 21-year-old Rufus Joseph, on charges of detaining her for sex, raping her and sexually violating her with oral sex.

Joseph, a telecommunications sales representative, has denied the charges at a three-day trial before Judge John McDonald and a jury in the Christchurch District Court.

The woman said she had been threatened by Joseph, who also raised his hand as if to strike her at least five times after he took her cellphone off her. He never hit her.

The woman said she was addicted to morphine in March when the incident with Joseph took place.

The addiction was costing her at least $100 a day.

She was now away from Christchurch and had been "clean" of her addiction for several months.

She accepted that prices could vary for sexual services, including reductions on slow week nights.

Defence counsel Tony Garrett said Joseph would say there had been no agreement that the sex would be only a "quickie".

He would say he saw her going through the glovebox of his car as he withdrew money from an automatic teller machine. He would say he gave her $60 in the car before they went to Mona Vale and wanted it back when the woman proved reluctant.

Some prostitutes had been ripping off clients by taking money beforehand without providing the services, the woman said. Normally, after coming to an arrangement, a prostitute would trust that the client would pay later.

Joseph would say that there had been no pushing or shoving of the woman, and she had said nothing to indicate she was uncomfortable about the sexual encounter near Mona Vale.

She said she told Joseph she felt ill and that she wanted to go home or back to Manchester St.

"I told him many times I didn't want to do the job."

She denied that Joseph had agreed to do that if she paid back the money he had given her.

She said in cross-examination that she regretted not seeking help when they left and walked past a security guard, or at a petrol station soon after.

She said had not tried to get away because she was shocked and scared.

She repeated that he had not paid her anything earlier but tossed five $20 notes at her when he dropped her off where she was staying.

- © Fairfax NZ News