Prosecutor Accuses Afghan Defendant of Lying About Girl's Strangulation
An Afghan man accused of strangling a 12-year-old girl hours before she was allegedly raped by his friend has been accused of lying about his actions and intentions on the night in question. The prosecutor at Warwick Crown Court stated that Mohammad Kabir, 24, provided conflicting evidence during the trial.
Conflicting Statements and Changing Accounts
Prosecutor Daniel Oscroft KC alleged that Kabir changed his story twice since signing a defence statement in November 2025. In his signed statement, Kabir claimed he had not seen the girl in Marlborough Road recreation ground prior to the alleged strangulation on Cat Gallows bridge. However, during verbal testimony in court, he stated he had spotted her there.
Speaking through an interpreter, Kabir told the court there was no physical contact with the girl on the bridge. Yet in his defence statement, he claimed the girl had tried to hug him. Kabir insisted this discrepancy resulted from a mistranslation, saying: 'It was probably one word missing, that she "tried to" and I pushed her away.'
Mr Oscroft countered: 'I suggest the reason you have changed your account is because you don't want to admit having any contact with her at all.'
Questioned Descriptions and Movements
The prosecutor referenced a transcript of Kabir speaking to an interpreter in custody at Nuneaton Police Station after his arrest. In the transcript, Kabir allegedly described the girl as 'small' twice. When asked in court if he thought the girl was small, Kabir said 'no' and claimed the interpretation was incorrect.
Mr Oscroft questioned why Kabir and his co-defendant, Ahmad Mulakhil, walked in different directions after leaving the bridge. 'You were both looking for her weren't you?' the prosecutor asked. Kabir replied: 'No.'
Disputed Butcher Shop Visit
Kabir claimed he walked to a friend's house on Deacon Street where they were supposed to have a meal, and that he was going to a butcher to pick up meat. When Mr Oscroft asked what butcher would be open past 8pm, Kabir explained it was summer-time, light, and many shops stayed open.
The prosecutor accused Kabir of lying about the butcher visit: 'You knew she was a child didn't you and when you found out that your friend Mulakhil was alone with her, you got angry didn't you?' Kabir responded: 'That is not true.'
Allegations of Jealousy and Intent
Mr Oscroft continued: 'You knew that they were going off together and you were jealous weren't you?' The Afghan defendant replied: 'I was not a magician, nor do I have the authority to see what they are doing, that is up to them.'
The prosecutor suggested: 'That is why you went out to look for them because what you intended to do earlier was what Mulakhil was doing with her later. That is why you are lying about the story about going to the butchers. That is why you changed your accounts of what happened in the park and on the bridge isn't it?'
Kabir maintained his innocence: 'No, that is nothing to do with me, my heart was clean in the beginning. If I had strangled her on the bridge, why was it not said by the witnesses, why have I offered my clothing to the police to do a DNA check which would be brought here and shown to the jury that there was some DNA samples, when there was none. There is nothing I have done. I am here to answer any questions because I am innocent.'
Charges and Trial Status
Mohammad Kabir has denied intentional strangulation, committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence, and attempting to take a child. The alleged incident occurred in Nuneaton on July 22 last year, hours before the girl was allegedly targeted and sexually assaulted by 23-year-old Ahmad Mulakhil.
Mulakhil denies one count of taking indecent photos of a child, two counts of rape of a female child under 13, abducting a child, and two counts of sexual assault. He has admitted one count of rape. The trial continues at Warwick Crown Court.
