Man denies Burnley canal sex attacks

Nizam Ahmed (38), of no fixed address, is alleged to have engaged each of the women in conversation before grabbing them around the throats and dragging them into a secluded spot.

His DNA was said to have been recovered in both instances, Preston Crown Court heard.

The defendant admitted to police he had sex with one of them but insisted it was consensual. He said although he wanted sex with the other woman, he did not try when she did not want to.

Ahmed denies one count of attempted rape in August and another of rape last September. Joanna Rodikis (prosecuting) alleged Ahmed committed each offence in the same area in a very similar way. It is claimed that at night he approached each young woman, who were strangers to him and working as prostitutes.

Miss Rodikis said: “He has engaged them in conversation and then grabbed each of them around the throats, dragged them into secluded green area by the canal in Burnley and then has committed sexual acts upon them without their consent.”

The two women in the case were aged 18 and 22 at the time. His DNA was recovered from both. Each made a complaint to the police very quickly after the alleged attacks.

The prosecution said both women had physical injuries consistent with their accounts of what took place.

In the first instance, the 18-year-old was walking in Colne Road, near the canal around 10 p.m. on August 27th. The defendant asked her for a cigarette. She said she did not have any and walked on. The prosecution claim she was then grabbed from behind, with Ahmed putting an arm around her throat and mouth.

She was dragged over a low wall and forced to the floor but ran away, it was alleged. In the second instance, the victim was dragged to a grassy area, forced to the ground and an arm placed across her neck. He then raped her.

Ahmed initially denied to police ever having sexual relations with any women other than his partner. He did go on to accept having had sex with one or two prostitutes months earlier, but in the Manchester area, not Burnley.

(Proceeding)