Published at 08:50, Friday, 04 May 2012

A takeaway boss has told a court how he had affairs outside of his marriage – despite being with his wife for more than 20 years.

Azad Miah

Related: ‘I never had sex with anyone under 20’ - Carlisle takeaway boss

Azad Miah, 44, told Carlisle Crown Court he had had three affairs, which his wife did not know about.

The former Spice of India boss said the young women he had affairs with were all in their twenties.

He said they were “very close” and had “an intimate relationship”. He said he gave them money but denied giving any of them money for sex. He said he gave them money “because they needed it”.

Miah said the girl, which the prosecution allege was 14 when she first had sex with Miah, was a worker in his shop in 2008.

He said: “There was an occasion when she came to the shop, she was a bit drunk, she was crying and I gave her a lift home.

“We became closer. We had sex on many occasions but I never gave her money for sex.”

Stephen Meadowcroft QC, for Miah, said: “In the texts you sent what did you say?”

Miah said: “Just normal conversation, nothing special.”

Miah, who ran the takeaway on Botchergate in Carlisle, has denied nine charges of paying for the sexual services of a child, eight of inciting child prostitution and one of keeping a brothel.

On day nine of the trial, Miah took to the witness box to give evidence.

He shook hands with his interpreter before taking the oath.

Miah, who was dressed in black trousers and a black leather-type jacket, told the court that he was born in Bangladesh and came to England in 1982.

He started working to support his family when his father died in 1984.

He came to Carlisle in 1992 and ran a couple of restaurants before he opened the Spice of India takeaway in 2000. He ran two businesses in Cockermouth, both of which have now been sold and a takeaway in Whitehaven.

The trial continues.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk