A Nova Scotia paramedic accused of raping an elderly woman as his partner tended to her ailing husband in the next room insisted to police that she initiated the sexual activity, not him.

What's more, he said he doesn't remember having sexual intercourse with the woman, but even if he did, he doesn't think he could "cause anyone trauma" because he's "not the biggest man in the world."

James Duncan Keats, 47, is on trial in Windsor, N.S., for allegedly sexually assaulting a 71-year-old woman twice -- once at her home, and once in an ambulance on the way to hospital.

He initially denied having any sexual contact with the woman, but during a tear-filled, eight-hour RCMP interview broadcast in court Friday, he admitted she touched herself and his penis until he ejaculated, but said it was her idea, the Chronicle Herald newspaper reports.

He said she initiated sex after he commented on her "beautiful breasts" while he examined her because she was having trouble breathing.

He claims she told him she hadn't been with someone sexually in a long time.

"We commiserated over the state of our marriages or lives," he said.

The victim alleged Keats performed oral sex on her and had intercourse with her against her will.

Keats told cops that he doesn't remember having intercourse with the woman, but admitted "anything's possible."

Even if he did, Keats said, she wouldn't have experienced trauma because he's "not the biggest man in the world."

Keats claims not to remember the other alleged assault in the ambulance.

Keats' lawyer is challenging the admissibility of the police tape as evidence.

Judge Claudine MacDonald is viewing the video and will hear from witnesses before deciding whether it can be used as evidence before the jury.

Keats has been suspended from paramedic duties.