A CRICKETER on trial for raping a 14-year-old girl told a jury that he would have had sex with her if she had wanted.

Ajmal Mohammed, 39, told Preston Crown Court that he sexually assaulted the girl while she slept and he said that he removed her clothes.

Mohammed, of Audley Range, Blackburn, said: "I was thinking that if she woke up and she wants to have sex then we will," but he said "I did not rape her or have sex with her."

The Ribblesdale League cricketer has denied rape and illegally taking the girl from her home in Accrington.

He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the girl, an attack which he filmed on his mobile phone.

The 51-second clip has been shown to the jury.

At court on the fourth day of a five-day trial, Katherine Blackwell, prosecuting, said that the girl first met Mohammed last summer when he approached her and an older friend at a bus stop.

He told them that he was only 24, the court was told.

Miss Blackwell said that in February this year Mohammed arranged a trip to Blackpool for himself and two girls and a friend of his - and the girl agreed to go.

Miss Blackwell said: "She lied to her parents and said that she was staying with a friend.

Before the trip Mohammed bought a bottle of whisky and a bottle of vodka which the two girls drank.

By the time they reached Blackpool the girl was very drunk."

She said that as the group parked, the 14-year-old vomited and after arriving at the hotel in Albert Road, she went straight to bed.

After falling asleep she was awoken to find Mohammed raping her, the court heard.

The court was also told that Mohammed had previously been given a police warning about his conduct with a young girl.

Miss Blackwell said Mohammed was given a written warning after an incident in February 2004.

She said he was caught in a Manchester hotel room with a 14-year-old girl, but he was not cautioned or charged with any offence.

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