Defendant's Claim of Consent in Child Sexual Exploitation Case
A man accused of rape in connection with an alleged child sexual exploitation ring in north Wales has stated that a 15-year-old girl "instigated" sexual activity.
Ziaullah Badshah, 25, from Rhyl, Denbighshire, admitted to having sex with the girl but told the jury he believed she was 17 years old at the time.
Badshah is one of five individuals denying allegations related to the sexual exploitation of girls in Rhyl.
Details of the Case and Court Testimony
During proceedings at Caernarfon Crown Court, Badshah acknowledged smoking cannabis with one of the alleged victims, referred to as Child B, but denied supplying the drug to her or to another 14-year-old girl, known as Child C.
In his defense testimony, Badshah explained that he arrived in the UK from Pakistan in 2016 after his home was destroyed and a family member was killed. He described suffering from flashbacks, anxiety, and depression as a result of these experiences and stated he had attempted suicide "so many times."
Badshah recounted meeting Child B and Child C at the residence of co-defendant Mustafa Iqbal, following a shopping trip with another co-accused, Mohamed Usman Arshad. He said he was informed that both girls were 17 years old.
The court heard that Child B initiated a game of "spin-the-bottle," which led to Badshah kissing both Child B and Child C. He maintained that these kisses "were not sexual."
However, Badshah admitted that Child B later visited his flat in Rhyl, where they engaged in sexual intercourse.
"She was the one who mostly started it - I wasn't really that bothered,"
he told the jury.
When questioned about the suggestion that Child B had not consented, Badshah responded:
"That's what she is saying now,"
"She was the one who mostly started it."
Badshah also acknowledged having sex with Child B on another occasion at his flat, while Child C was present in the room, insisting the encounter was consensual.
The court was informed that Badshah only discovered Child B was 15 years old after she traveled to London with 65-year-old co-defendant Jaswinder Singh, who denies charges of trafficking and supplying cannabis.
"My life was just finished,"
Badshah said.
"That was one of the worst things in my life.
It is something I would never do, especially going with an underage girl."
Charges and Co-Defendants
Badshah denies two counts of rape involving Child B, as well as charges of conspiracy to traffic and forced labor, and supplying cannabis to another individual.
Co-defendants Mustafa Iqbal, 43, and Mohamed Usman Arshad, 36, also deny rape charges involving victims aged between 14 and 16 years old.
