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Eddy Shah had sex with schoolgirl, court told Eddy Shah had sex with schoolgirl, court told
(12 days later)
Former newspaper proprietor Eddy Shah engaged in sexual activity with a prostitute and a schoolgirl, a court has been told.Former newspaper proprietor Eddy Shah engaged in sexual activity with a prostitute and a schoolgirl, a court has been told.
The abuse was said to have taken place in the early 1990s and the girl waited nearly 20 years to tell the police.The abuse was said to have taken place in the early 1990s and the girl waited nearly 20 years to tell the police.
Gillian Etherton QC, prosecuting, said Shah, Susan Davies and her former lover Anthony Pallant were arrested on sex charges involving the underage girl in September 2011.Gillian Etherton QC, prosecuting, said Shah, Susan Davies and her former lover Anthony Pallant were arrested on sex charges involving the underage girl in September 2011.
The girl was taken to hotels by Davies to have sex with Shah in her presence and also with Davies participating, jurors were told.The girl was taken to hotels by Davies to have sex with Shah in her presence and also with Davies participating, jurors were told.
They all denied sexual impropriety towards the girl, accusing her of "a series of lies, malice or pure fantasy that never happened". But Etherton told the Old Bailey: "These allegations are about child abuse."She was a young girl who should have had the protection of the considerably older adults around her. Instead, she was used by these adults for their own selfish personal needs resulting in her sexual abuse."They all denied sexual impropriety towards the girl, accusing her of "a series of lies, malice or pure fantasy that never happened". But Etherton told the Old Bailey: "These allegations are about child abuse."She was a young girl who should have had the protection of the considerably older adults around her. Instead, she was used by these adults for their own selfish personal needs resulting in her sexual abuse."
Etherton said Davies was pivotal to the case and had worked for many years as an escort and prostitute. "She is a woman of few moral scruples," Etherton added.Etherton said Davies was pivotal to the case and had worked for many years as an escort and prostitute. "She is a woman of few moral scruples," Etherton added.
Shah, 69, of Chippenham, Wiltshire, denies six counts of raping a girl under 16. Pallant, 53, of West Malling, Kent, denies six counts of rape and indecent assault. Davies, 53, of Swanley, Kent, denies 14 counts of aiding and abetting rape, indecent assault and child cruelty.Shah, 69, of Chippenham, Wiltshire, denies six counts of raping a girl under 16. Pallant, 53, of West Malling, Kent, denies six counts of rape and indecent assault. Davies, 53, of Swanley, Kent, denies 14 counts of aiding and abetting rape, indecent assault and child cruelty.
The offences are alleged to have happened when the girl was aged between 12 – 15.The offences are alleged to have happened when the girl was aged between 12 – 15.
Shah, who was charged under his birth name of Selim Shah, founded the now-defunct Today newspaper in 1986. He now owns and runs a number of golf courses, leisure centres and hotels and is an author.Shah, who was charged under his birth name of Selim Shah, founded the now-defunct Today newspaper in 1986. He now owns and runs a number of golf courses, leisure centres and hotels and is an author.
After his arrest, Shah allegedly told police he had known Davies as a prostitute for many years. He had kept in touch with her over the years because he wanted to "keep that line of communication open, just in case".After his arrest, Shah allegedly told police he had known Davies as a prostitute for many years. He had kept in touch with her over the years because he wanted to "keep that line of communication open, just in case".
He told officers "he was fearful of repercussions that they would say he had slept with the girl", which he denied.He told officers "he was fearful of repercussions that they would say he had slept with the girl", which he denied.
The case continues.The case continues.
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