A MAN accused of arranging child prostitution and conspiracy to rape has denied taking part in any sexual exploitation of three teenage girls.

Tilal Mahdi gave evidence for the first time yesterday at Oxford Crown Court and told a jury he had been “kind” to one one of his alleged victims and only met another on three occasions.

The 36-year-old is accused of arranging for two of the complainants to have sex with his friends and trafficking one under-age girl around the country.

Mahdi, of Friars Street, Hereford, denies conspiracy to rape a girl under 16, conspiracy to indecently assault a girl under 16 and another serious sexual offence between June 5, 1996, and June 4, 1998.

He also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to rape, trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation, arranging or facilitating child prostitution and rape between July 17, 2005, and July 16, 2008, as well as a further rape charge on March 24, 2006.

Defence barrister Isabella Forshall QC asked her client about the first girl he is accused of abusing.

She said: “Were you given any reason to disbelieve that she was 17?” He replied: “No.”

Miss Forshall said: “What did you feel about (her)?”

The witness said: “I was kind to her, I was nice, I never did her bad. I used to cook for her and stuff. She told me her family didn’t want her, so I used to feel sorry for her.

“At first I didn’t know she was sleeping with other people. But other people told me she was.”

Miss Forshall asked: “Did you ever agree with anyone that they should have sex with (her) without her consent?”

Mahdi said: “That is not right.”

Miss Forshall asked: “The prosecution say that you agreed with others that they should have sex with her when she was under 16.” He replied: “That is not right.”

The trial continues.

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