Court hears claims of how Nelson chef sexually abused schoolgirl dish washer

Chef Alan Calleja took advantage of his position of authority and sexually abused the vulnerable weekend worker repeatedly over four months. Calleja, who had interviewed the girl for the kitchen job and “knew perfectly well” how old she was, tricked her into going to the premises when it was closed and then told her he wanted to have intercourse with her, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The hearing was told the alleged victim did not tell anybody what was happening to her at the time, but confided in two friends a few years later, her mother was also informed and police were called.

The defendant (33), of Smith Street, Nelson, denies 11 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Mr Hugh Barton (prosecuting) told the court the second week the girl had been working at the restaurant, Calleja pushed her against a wall and told her if she did not commit a sex act on him, she would be sacked. She panicked, thought she had no alternative, feared she wouldn’t be believed and that her mother would blame her for losing the job. The pattern was established and Calleja would then abuse her a weekly basis.

One Sunday, the defendant told the girl to go to work when the restaurant was closed on the pretext she would help clean the kitchen. When she got there, she realised she was alone with Calleja. He took her upstairs and told her “ in no uncertain terms” he wanted full sex with her. She was able to fob him off by telling him she feared getting pregnant.

Mr Barton said police were later called and the defendant was arrested and interviewed. The girl’s allegations were put to him and he denied any sexual involvement with her whatsoever. Calleja told officers he had got on with the girl. He said he couldn’t think of any reason why she would make false allegations against him but said nothing like she claimed happened at all.

The prosecutor said the defendant knew full well how old the girl was. Mr Barton alleged: “The Crown say he preyed on her when she was vulnerable. He took advantage of his position of authority over her and sexually abused her over four months, when she was too young to stand up to him.”

(Proceeding)