A MAN accused of raping a girl under 13 yesterday denied the allegations levelled against him saying it had “never happened”.

Lloyds banking group analyst Caleb Laughlin was giving evidence before a jury after being charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against the same girl.

When the 21-year-old took the stand at Cardiff Crown Court, Laughlin, of St Julian’s Avenue, Newport, denied forcing himself upon her twice.

When questioned by police about the allegations, Laughlin told officers it was a “complete fabrication”, the court heard yesterday.

Earlier in the trial, the court heard the girl had written a letter stating that she could not be “completely certain” the alleged abuse had taken place.

A jury also heard that she had previously made sex abuse allegations against another person but later retracted them.

Cross examining Laughlin, prosecutor Ruth Smith asked him if he had had sexual contacts with her, but he denied the allegation.

Asked if he had had sexual intercourse with the girl he told the jury, comprising eight men and four men, “No, it never happened.”

Mrs Smith put to Laughlin that he had asked the girl to perform a sex act on him, to which replied that it hadn’t happened.

Proceeding.