A KENT man accused of a 12-month campaign of rape told a jury that he was fitted up by the police.

Antoni Imiela claimed Hertfordshire Police had switched a fingerprint on a rape victim's bag so it matched his.

He told Maidstone Crown Court how a 10-year-old girl in Birmingham had made up a "wicked tale" about him to save herself getting in trouble because she was late home.

He also boasted how, if he had been the serial rapist who first attacked a girl in Ashford, he would not have been caught for years because he would have fled the country.

Under cross-examination by Mark Dennis, for the prosecution, the 49-year-old suspect described the account given by a 10-year-old Birmingham girl he is said to have been attacked as bizarre.

A month after her abduction at knifepoint she picked out Mr Imiela, of Heathside, Appledore, near Ashford, in an ID parade. She had already identified his car.

Mr Dennis then went on to draw comparisons with this attack in November 2002, to the attack on a 10-year-old girl in Ashford a year earlier.

There was the lengthy abduction, moving from place to place, the attacker's callous comments and questions, the way he stripped her, his abuse, the threats to kill.

He repeatedly asked Mr Imiela: "Is this just a coincidence?"

"You connect them, I don't," the defendant replied.

Completing his cross-examination, Mr Dennis said: "Mr Imiela, I certainly accept you have a high sexual drive and are promiscuous. I suggest you used things such as the gay point, the cars to try and talk your way out of the position you are now in.

"When you are absolutely stuck you have to invent quite ludicrous stories and when it comes to a real brick wall it's a fit up, a conspiracy."

Mr Imiela replied: "The police were under quite a lot of pressure. They just wanted to get somebody - someone who fitted the DNA. I'm the usual suspect."

He denies nine charges of rape, one of attempted rape, indecent assault and kidnap between November 2001 and November 2002.

The court is not sitting today. The trial is due to continue on Monday.

The trial continues.