THE JURY in the trial of a 48-year-old Welwyn Garden City man accused of raping a teenage girl is considering its verdict.
Stephen Bailey, of Boundary Lane, denies raping the 13-year-old girl, an allegation dating back more than five years. He also denies four charges of sexual activity with a child and two counts of ABH.
During the trial at St Albans Crown Court the prosecution alleged that Bailey flew the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, abroad for a termination after he discovered she was pregnant.
It was claimed Bailey escorted the girl, who was 16 at the time, abroad to abort the 27-week pregnancy because he feared it was his child, an accusation he denies.
The hearing heard the abortion did not go ahead and the pair returned from the trip.
The prosecution also alleged Mr Bailey purchased DNA kits from the internet and became obsessed with the child's conception dates following its birth.
Jurors were sent out yesterday afternoon to consider their verdict. They were still considering this morning.
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