Accused men claimed girls 'lied' about rape and abuse

TEENAGE girls who allege they were raped and sexually abused by older Asian men were 'lying' for 'quick easy money, some of the accused told police.

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

Eight men are standing trial accused of a series of sexual offences, allegedly committed against two girls in Rochdale between 2001 and 2006. The alleged victims, who are entitled to anonymity, are being identified as Girl A and Girl B.

Minshull Street Crown Court has been told the accused were mainly either taxi drivers or market stall traders in the town. The girls were 'passed around' for sex before being 'discarded ', it is alleged.

Mohammed Zahid, 64; Kasir Bashir, 50; Mushtaq Ahmed, 66; Roheez Khan, 39; Mohammed Shahzad, 43; Nisar Hussain, 43; Naheem Akram, 48; and Arfan Khan, 40, deny all the charges they face. On the second day of the trial, jurors were told about interviews which police conducted with the defendants. In one interview, Mushtaq Ahmed said he was 'scared' of Mr Zahid and Mr Bashir and claimed they were 'gangsters'.