Robert Jones, formerly of Hailsham but now of no fixed address, denies attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place on March 18, 2004, in a dark lay-by on the Downs.
Jones was arrested back in 2004 but fled to France when he was released on bail.
A European arrest warrant was issued and he was brought back to the UK last year to stand trial.
Prosecutor Henrietta Paget told the jury, "This is the attempted rape of one of his former school mates who made the mistake of offering him a lift home while he was drunk and in no mood to take no for an answer."
The court heard Jones had been chatting to his alleged victim in an Eastbourne nightclub and had approached her later that night on the dance floor.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court Jones was trying to dance with her but she had told him she wasn't interested because she had a long-term boyfriend and would not cheat on him.
At the end of the evening she offered Jones a lift home because she remembered that he lived in Hailsham and was driving in that direction.
He accepted the offer of a lift but then told her he wanted to be taken to an address in Old Town. She said she did not know the area very well and asked him to direct her.
The tearful woman gave evidence from behind a screen at Lewes Crown Court on Monday afternoon (February 8) and told the court, "He took me up this hill and I thought it was a bit strange because I recognised the youth hostel on the right.
"I thought there was something not right.
"It was in the middle of nowhere."
The court heard that Jones was sitting in the passenger's seat and told the woman to pull into an unlit lay-by and turn off her engine and lights.
He is then alleged to have made advances towards the woman and told her, 'it won't take long'. She claims he reclined her car seat and climbed on top of her before grabbing her throat and putting his hand over her mouth when she started to scream.
The woman told the court that she tried to push him away but he threatened to kill her if she didn't do as he said.
Jones is alleged to have ordered the woman to get out of the car before attempting to rape her and committing two counts of indecent assault.
The woman told the court she was 'frightened' and said, "I really thought he was going to kill me or something if I didn't let him do what he wanted to do.
"I was screaming quite a lot because there was another car parked and I was hoping there would be someone in there."
The woman said she told Jones he was hurting her but he continued with the attack and told her to 'shut up' when she screamed out for help.
After the alleged attack Jones got back in the car, checked his hair and directed the woman to the Old Town address.
Ms Paget said the woman broke down as she was getting ready for work the next morning, told her mother what had happened and went to the police
Jones claims that he and the woman had both consented to the sexual activity.
He denies the three charges against him and the case continues.