A man accused of exploiting and repeatedly raping a 16-year-old runaway girl insists the claims against him are a “setup”.
Accused Admits Picking Up Teen But Denies Rape
Arqash Zaffar, 41, admits he picked up the girl in Birmingham in July 2019. He says she told him she was 20. Zaffar accepted the girl gave him oral sex twice in the 48 hours after they first met. But he vehemently denies raping her or arranging for her to be sexually abused by others.
At Birmingham Crown Court, Zaffar, also known as ‘Mikey,’ called the allegation he raped the girl at a friend’s Manchester home a “disgusting accusation”. He testified that he did not reveal his age because she never asked.
Night Trip to Manchester Under Scrutiny
Zaffar told the court about a trip they took to Manchester to visit his friend and co-defendant Shiraz Nassar, known as ‘Soldier’. They also picked up another friend, Shahban Arif. The men drove around Wilmslow Road and explored the city centre that night.
Multiple Co-Defendants Face Serious Charges
- Zaffar, from Walsall, denies five rape charges, four counts of causing non-consensual penetrative sex, and one count of arranging travel for exploitation.
- Mohammed Nadim, 44, also from Walsall, 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 continues as the court hears more evidence.
