A detailed timeline of a defendant's arrival in the United Kingdom has emerged during a harrowing child sexual assault trial at Warwick Crown Court. The court heard that Ahmad Mulakhil, an Afghan national, entered Britain approximately four months before his arrest in connection with alleged sex attacks on a schoolgirl in the Midlands.
Defendant's Account of Events
Ahmad Mulakhil, aged 23 and of no fixed address, is standing trial alongside co-defendant Mohammad Kabir, aged 24. Mulakhil has admitted one count of oral rape but denies two further counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, child abduction, and taking indecent images of a child. Through a Dari interpreter, Mulakhil provided his version of events to the jury on Tuesday, February 3.
Immigration Background and Location
Mulakhil informed the court that he had submitted an immigration application citing 'problems' he faced in Afghanistan. He stated he had been residing in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, for about six weeks prior to the alleged incident. The prosecution alleges that sexual activity occurred on a grassy area within a housing estate in Nuneaton last July.
Interaction with the Alleged Victim
Mulakhil testified that he observed his friend, Mohammad Kabir, conversing with the 12-year-old girl around 5:20 pm on July 22. He claimed the girl persistently followed him and insisted on visiting his residence. Due to limited English proficiency, Mulakhil said he attempted to communicate via Google Translate, urging her to return home.
"She was insisting that she wants to come to my house," Mulakhil told jurors. "I couldn’t speak [English] well so I was trying to tell her that it is not possible. She was following me around. When I got there [the grassy area] I sat down."
Allegations of Sexual Activity and Photography
The defendant asserted that the girl initiated physical contact by touching his arms, leading to sexual activity that lasted approximately five seconds. Regarding indecent images discovered by police, Mulakhil contended that the girl was insistent on taking photographs and videos.
"She wanted to take a photo… videos. She was insisting a lot," he stated, adding that one image was captured with the phone in his hand but her hand was also proximate.
Co-Defendant's Defence
Mohammad Kabir, also of no fixed abode, denies charges of intentional strangulation, committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence, and attempting to take a child. During the Crown's case, prosecutor Daniel Oscroft presented a translated transcript of a phone call Kabir made to an interpreter while in police custody.
Plea for CCTV Evidence
In the call, Kabir vehemently protested his innocence, urging authorities to review CCTV footage to corroborate his account. "The girl came, she went with my friend. I told her 'don’t come to me, please go away, don’t come closer'," Kabir reportedly said.
He continued, "Tell them [the police] to check the camera. Tell them that my heart is exploding. I am brought in here innocently. I sent her away. I was telling her 'don’t get closer to me you are small'. Tell them that I have not done anything wrong."
Legal Proceedings Continue
The trial remains ongoing at Warwick Crown Court, with both defendants maintaining their positions against the serious allegations. The case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the charges and the defendants' recent immigration status. The jury continues to deliberate on the evidence presented, including the timeline of Mulakhil's arrival in the UK and the contrasting accounts of the events in Nuneaton.
