Suspect in Rape of 12-Year-Old Claims He Mistook Her Age

An Afghan migrant, Ahmad Mulakhil, who is facing charges for reportedly abducting and twice raping a 12-year-old girl in the United Kingdom, claimed that he believed she was in her early 20s, as stated in court.

The trial is taking place at Warwick Crown Court, where Mulakhil is accused of preying on the young girl before committing sexual acts against her in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on July 22 of the previous year.

In addition, prosecutors assert that Mulakhil's associate, Mohammad Kabir, choked the girl with the alleged intent to engage her for sexual purposes.

During the investigation, Mulakhil reportedly told the authorities that a charge of oral rape he admitted to was his first sexual experience and claimed it did not involve any coercion or intimidation.

The girl, whose identity is being protected, testified that Mulakhil laughed and disregarded her cries for him to stop during the assault, which occurred in a grassy area.

It is alleged that after Kabir, 24, initially interacted with the girl on a canal bridge, he seized her by the neck, facilitating Mulakhil's attack.

In police interviews held on July 26 last year, conducted with the help of an interpreter, Mulakhil stated that any kissing or sexual activity that transpired was consensual and that it was the girl's desire.

The prosecution revealed that Mulakhil's statements, presented to the jury by Crown barrister Daniel Oscroft, highlighted a language barrier that affected his communication with the police.

He insisted that the girl was insistent in her actions, claiming, "I did not have experience in the past with a girl. She was agreed, I was agreed too. She was insisting and she was following me. She wasn't scared. She was following me with her own consent."

The court was informed that Mulakhil believed the girl had told his friend that she was 19 and was questioned by a police officer about how old she appeared to him.

Mulakhil's response was that she could have been 23 or 24, adding, "I didn't focus that much."

He also conveyed to the police that he thought the age of consent was between 19 and 20, further asserting that the girl could have left the situation if she had wanted to.

When questioned about whether he understood that a 12-year-old cannot legally consent to sexual activity, Mulakhil acknowledged this fact by saying, "It's understandable - no one will have sex with a 12-year-old."

Mulakhil has denied all charges, including child abduction, two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and taking indecent photographs of a child.

In a similar vein, Kabir denies charges of attempted strangulation, intent to commit a sexual offence, and attempt to abduct a child.

The trial is ongoing.