Blackburn MBE man: sexual liaison was 'consensual' (From Blackburn Citizen)

Blackburn MBE man: sexual liaison was 'consensual'

9:10pm Tuesday 23rd February 2010 in News By Sam Chadderton, Reporter

A ‘PILLAR of the Muslim community’ spent two hours in a hotel room with a woman who claims he sexually assaulted her, a court heard.

Giving evidence at his trial, charity boss Janaid Qureshi, MBE, said the alleged victim ‘would go to any lengths’ to keep her visa.

The 61-year-old, of Queen’s Road, Blackburn, denies six counts of sexual assault against the woman.

It is alleged he threatened to use his immigration contacts to have her deported back to Pakistan.

During cross-examination at Bolton Crown Court, by prosecution barrister Michael Maher, Qureshi told the jury he had a ‘happy marriage of 38 years’ and denied telling the alleged victim he was in a ‘loveless marriage’.

One of the alleged assaults is said to have taken place at a house in Accrington Road, Blackburn, after he offered to show her round the property.

But Qureshi told the court that the ‘sexual liaison’ was consensual, saying the woman was ‘equally strong’ in the relationship.

Mr Maher confronted Qureshi, saying: “You enjoyed your dominant position in the Muslim community and you flaunted it.”

Qureshi denied the accusations and said: “I have no authority to deport anybody.”

Andrew Nuttall, defending, called Sparth House Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors, general manager Warren Marsh as a witness.

Mr Marsh told the jury he recalled Qureshi coming in and booking a room on the morning of July 29 for a ‘business meeting’, before returning with a woman and staying for ‘approximately two hours’.

The court heard that at the time of his arrest, Qureshi was the chief executive of the Ethnic Minorities Development Association, as well as being on the board of a housing association, UCLAN, and a Blackburn College governor.

He was awarded an MBE for ‘services to the community’ in 1999.

(Proceeding).