A YOUNG Kent girl, said to have been Antoni Imiela's first rape victim, has given evidence in court.

The child, who was aged 10 at the time of the alleged attack in November 2001, explained how she was grabbed, touched and finally raped by a man on the Stanhope Estate in Ashford, on November 15, 2001.

The jury at Maidstone Crown Court was today shown a video-taped interview with the girl, who cannot be named, recorded the day after assault.

She said her attacker told her: "If you shut up I won't hurt you, but if you scream or cry or anything I will break your legs or kill you."

The child, wearing blue jeans and a red jumper, also explained how the man had threatened to walk her to her door, after raping her, so that if she told anyone about what had happened he could return and kill her.

On several occasions she broke down in tears as she went through every detail of what had happened to her.

The jury is set to see a second tape-recorded interview with the girl.

Earlier Mark Dennis, for the prosecution, completed his opening address, detailing the events of November 21, 2002, when Mr Imiela is said to have driven to Birmingham and kidnapped, indecently assaulted and attempted to rape a 10-year-old girl in the back of his car.

Mr Imiela, 49, of Heathside, Appledore, near Ashford, denies nine counts of rape, one of attempted rape, indecent assault and abduction between November 2001 and November 2002.

The trial continues.

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