A man faces shocking claims of exploiting and repeatedly raping a 16-year-old runaway – but he insists it’s all a “setup.”
Accused Admits Meeting Teen but Denies Rape
Arqash Zaffar, 41, from Walsall, admits picking up the girl in Birmingham back in July 2019. He claims she told him she was 20. Zaffar admitted she gave him oral sex twice within 48 hours after they met but flatly denies raping her or arranging for others to abuse her.
At Birmingham Crown Court, Zaffar, also known as ‘Mikey,’ slammed the rape allegation at a friend’s home in Manchester as a “disgusting accusation.” He testified he didn’t reveal his own age because she never asked.
Manchester Night Out Under Fire
Zaffar described a night trip to Manchester where they visited his friend and co-defendant Shiraz Nassar, aka ‘Soldier.’ They also picked up Shahban Arif. The men cruised around Wilmslow Road and explored the city centre, raising serious questions about what went down that night.
Co-Defendants Also Deny Serious Charges
- Arqash Zaffar denies five rape charges, four counts of causing non-consensual penetrative sex, and arranging travel for exploitation.
- Mohammed Nadim, 44, denies one sexual assault charge.
- Shahban Arif, 42, denies a single exploitation charge.
- Shiraz Nassar, 40, from Denton, Manchester, pleads not guilty to rape.
The high-profile trial is ongoing as the court hears more explosive evidence in this disturbing case.
