Mohammed Reveshi told a jury at Preston Crown Court he had been "destroyed" by the police investigation into the disappearance of the teenager.

Reveshi, 50, was responding to tapes played in court in which he is alleged to have talked about disposing of Charlene's body.

He said: "My life has been ripped apart.

"It has been destroyed because of somebody I know nothing about.

"I am 50 years old and I work hard and suddenly, because of somebody I know nothing about, police come in and ruin my life, because of Charlene Downes."

In one extract - taped during a police bugging operation - Reveshi is alleged to have questioned why police were putting such effort into investigating the disappearance of Charlene when she was "not even from a good family."

Mr Tim Holdroyde, prosecuting, said: "Did you not think you would get away with this because nobody would care about a girl such as Charlene Downes?"

Reveshi replied: "This is lies."

The trial had earlier heard how Charlene, 14, of Buchanan Street, Blackpool had disappeared in November 2003.

Reveshi's co-defendant Iyad Albattikhi, 30, of Dickson Road, who had been the boss of Funny Boyz, is accused of murdering the youngster.

Both men deny their involvement.

Proceeding

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