A DEFENCE DNA expert has agreed a full genetic profile does link Antoni Imiela to the rape of a 10-year-old girl in Ashford.

Dr James Walker, a forensic scientist with 20 years experience, also admitted it was likely there was only two other men in the world's population who would have the same profile, matching Mr Imiela's.

He was giving evidence at Maidstone Crown Court with regard to forensic evidence linking the 49-year-old suspect to a number of his alleged rape victims.

Mark Dennis, for the prosecution, read part of Dr Walker's conclusion from his 25-page report on the Forensic Science Service's DNA findings.

Tests showed DNA found on the girl following the attack in November 2001, was a one in a billion match for Mr Imiela, of Heathside, Appledore, near Ashford.

Mr Dennis said: "The possible contamination or mix up between reference samples and crime samples is unlikely. It is clear the work has been performed to the highest standard.

"The full DNA profile clearly links Antoni Imiela to this crime or someone with the same profile as him."

Dr Walker, from LGC (the Laboratory of the Government Chemist), had earlier been questioned by Rebecca Poulet QC, for the defence, and said he was unable to obtain a DNA profile from samples taken from the 10-year-old Ashford girl because the DNA had deteriorated.

He was asked to work on the swabs in October last year, almost two years after the Forensic Science Service had obtained its results.

He could not explain the deterioration, but said: "It does happen. It's quite frequent. I tend to collect samples on a regular basis to retest.

"Therefore I'm quite used to picking up samples which have originally been tested and maybe once or twice a year has this situation occurred."

Despite this, Dr Walker said there was no reason to go against the work done by the FSS.

DNA evidence was present in five of the rapes Mr Imiela is charged with. The probability that it was not his DNA ranged from one in 14 to one in a billion, the court heard.

The jury was also told of three attacks, of a similar nature, on young women or girls last year or early this year that the suspect could not have carried out as he was remanded in custody.

Mr Imiela, a married railway worker, denies nine charges of rape, one of attempted rape, indecent assault and kidnap between November 2001 and November 2002.

The trial continues.