A man accused of the rape of a 15-year-old girl 30 years ago claimed yesterday the teenager seduced him.

The defendant, who was 23 years old at the time, told the Supreme Court that he had sex with the girl three times while she was underage.

He claimed the alleged rape, where he was said to have pushed his way into her home and forced himself on her, had never happened.

The man said: “I didn’t rape her. I had sex with her underage, yes. I was willing to accept my responsibilities, but not for rape.”

The man, now 53, and the alleged victim cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The defendant told the court the girl had made advances to him months before the 1988 alleged rape took place.

He said he was at her home one night, went to the bathroom and met the teenager at the door.

The defendant said: “I asked her what she was doing there. I asked her what she was doing up. She said she was waiting for me.”

He said she put her arms on his chest and used “explicit words” to indicate that she liked him and they had sex in the bathroom. The defendant said another incident happened in May or June of that year.

He said they went swimming off a beach in St George’s and had sex in the water while her family picnicked nearby.

The man claimed the third incident happened in her home during a sleepover while her brother and others slept on the floor feet away.

The defendant admitted that he found the teenager attractive, but had not pursued her.

He said: “I had no desire for her at that time, no.”

The man told Maria Sofianos, for the prosecution, that he had never stalked the victim after the alleged attack.

He told the court that he walked through the area to get home after work and had not been “waiting for her”.

He admitted that he had written the girl a note in which he said he loved her and wanted to make love to her.

He agreed that he had not told police about the note when he was interviewed over the rape allegation.

The defendant said: “I remember the note. I don’t remember giving it to her at the time. I didn’t remember the note until it was shown to me.

“I did write that letter, yes. She wouldn’t speak. I was worried about what was wrong with her. I didn’t rape her.”

He added: “I didn’t force myself through the door and I didn’t rape her. Never happened. That night never happened.”

The trial continues.

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