A man charged with the rape of several young girls has claimed the evidence against him is fabricated. Authorities claim the man “kidnapped eight girls who were between six and eight years of age from different places in Jeddah, terrorized them, beat them up and forcefully took them to his home and raped them.” Some minor girls were allegedly forced to drink alcohol and watch pornography on the man's computer. After that he would leave them on the street, authorities said. However, at a judicial committee session in the General Court in Jeddah, the defendant's lawyer presented a 20-page reply in which he denied the charges and disputed the evidence against the accused. Informed sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that “the 35-page charge sheet contained evidence, statements by the girls, and the results of DNA tests. The accused rejected the evidence as fabrications which do not corroborate the accusation.” One of the key pieces of evidence was that some of the girls said that the assailant was a dark-skinned man. However the accused claims that this evidence acquits him as he is light skinned. Another part of the Prosecutor General's case rests on the ownership of cars connected with the crime. However, the defendant insisted he could refute this by presenting evidence that he had already sold the cars and that they were not in his possession when he was arrested. Sources at the session said the accused appeared in a calm psychological state. The judges have asked the defendant to answer further charges against him in the next session. The suspect, who was arrested many months ago, is believed to have targeted young girls found alone in market areas and wedding halls in some districts of Jeddah. Local press also revealed that the suspect is a schoolteacher. Saudi Gazette reported earlier that six victims had also formally recognized the suspect. Police said they received reports all bearing similar characteristics from parents in Al-Kandara, Al-Balad, Al-Jami'a and Al-Sharafiya. Several local media outlets printed CCTV images of the suspect dressed in a white thobe and white shamagh headdress, pursuing victims and walking away with them at shopping areas and car parks. The first case in which the suspect is believed to be involved was reported three years ago when a nine-year-old girl was snatched from a wedding hall. According to testimonies, the rapist lured young girls into his car by offering them sweets and took them to different locations around the city. He acted at different times of the day and used two vehicles to cover his tracks, and is also reported to have caused serious facial injuries to his victims. His last victim provided enough details for police to identity him, reports said. __
