Mohammed Reveshi, who is charged with disposing of the body of Blackpool teenager Charlene Downes, is said to have befriended another young girl while he was a takeaway boss.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told a jury at Preston Crown Court how she met Reveshi after being introduced to him as the "stepfather" of a schoolfriend.

Charlene Downes trial background
Mum weeps over daughter's gruesome death
Charlene trial: "Why did you kill her?"
"Blood on the walls" Charlene murder trial told
Police tell Charlene trial: "It was no set-up"
Charlene jury told how accused 'confessed'
Charlene accused 'felt bit like serial killer'
Charlene suspect 'sobbed in car' claim police

She told of one occasion where Reveshi had touched her "below her bellybutton" as she sat talking to him on the bed at his Hornby Road flat.

The witness, now 16, said: "I sat on the bed next to him and he moved his hands passed my belly button over the clothes. He was trying to get further down and I was like, 'no'.

"I went into the living room and told my friends we needed to leave, then we left."

She also told of another earlier incident where she had gone to Cash and Carry with Reveshi and he had attempted to kiss her.

John Bromley-Davenport, defending Reveshi, accused the witness of making up the story because she craved Reveshi's attention.

A second witness, also 16, told the court Reveshi had tickled her inappropriately while they were alone in his car.

Reveshi, 50, denies disposing of the body Charlene, who has been missing from home since November 2003. Iyad Albattikhi, 30, Reveshi's-former partner at Funny Boyz takeaway on Dickson Road, denies murder.

(Proceeding)

Today's other top stories
"Mini tornadoes" hit Fylde coast
Tears for Sam as teenager is laid to rest
Former Pool player set to return for a third time?
Sven set to be named City boss