Imam's 'catalogue of sex attacks'

A Muslim cleric carried out a 'catalogue of sex attacks' on a pupil at his mosque, a court has heard.

Manzoor Hussain, 42, is accused of attacking the girl, then aged 12, between July 1996 and March 1997.

On Thursday his alleged victim told Exeter Crown Court the religious teacher sexually abused her as she was reading the Koran during lessons.

Mr Hussain, of Ashley Street, St Pauls, Bristol, denies four charges of indecent assault and one of rape.

I knew it was wrong, I did not want it to happen, I wanted it to stop, but I did not know what I could do Victim of alleged rape

The woman, now 21, told the court Mr Hussain sexually assaulted her "every week" at the mosque.

"I was frightened at what was happening because I had to go back every week," she said.

"I knew it was wrong, I did not want it to happen, I wanted it to stop, but I did not know what I could do."

She told the court that before one incident she agreed to help Mr Hussain carry items to an upstairs room in the mosque.

The court heard he grabbed her, took off his trousers and removed her trousers and underwear.

She alleges she kneed him in the groin, but when she tried to leave he slapped her and tried to make her commit a sex act on him. He is then alleged to have raped her.

The case continues.