THE friend of an alleged sex attacker has told a jury how a teenage 'victim' complained she thought she had been raped.

Atif Hussain said that the girl ended up crying in a Blackpool hotel room after travelling there with the two men and a friend.

It is alleged that Ajmal Mohammad, who is known as Ash, raped the 14-year-old from Accrington in the hotel after the four had travelled to the resort from Blackburn in February Giving evidence at the trial, Mr Hussain told the jury: "She said I think Ash has raped me.' "Ash was shocked and said I have done nothing, believe me'.

The witness said that at a later stage the girl was laughing and joking and happy. He said that afterwards, he asked her what had happened.

He said she told him "I was asleep. When I woke Ash was on top of me and I think he raped me."

Mohammad, 40, a Ribblesdale League cricker, of Audley Range, Blackburn, denies rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and taking the girl out of the lawful control of her parents, with intent to commit a sexual offence.

The jury has been told that he has admitted a separate charge of sexual assault which he filmed on a mobile phone.

Mr Hussain, 24, who has known the defendant for two and a half to three years, told the court that he, Mohammad and two teenage girls went on a trip to Blackpool.

Three of them, apart from the defendant, intended staying over at a hotel, he said.

Mr Hussain said he asked Mohammad to stay and he agreed.

At a later stage he saw the girl crying in a hotel room. It was at this stage that she said "I think Ash has raped me."

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