AN electrical engineer accused of sex offences against two young girls claimed at Worcester Crown Court that the prosecution was trying to portray him as "a monster."

Christopher Howley, aged 48, also alleged the case against him was part of a family vendetta.

When he was questioned about evidence of his former brother-in-law Alan White that he had seen a video of Howley having sex with a 14-year-old, Howley said: "That man is a liar.

"He is doing it to get at my family, particularly my sister. He wants this case to succeed."

And he told prosecutor Malcolm Parkes: "You are involved in a family vendetta which has been used in an attempt to convict me. I am an innocent man."

After more questions about the video, he told Mr Parkes: "I object to perfectly innocent things being twisted round to make me look like some kind of monster. I'm not."

Howley, formerly of Leawood Grove, Kidderminster, and now living in Burton Latimer, near Kettering, Northamptonshire, denies raping girls aged 12 and 14.

He also pleads not guilty to charges of indecent assault, indecency with a child, taking indecent photographs and adminstering a drug with intent to commit indecent assault.

With him in the dock is 47-year-old Susan Morris, of Dovedale Avenue, Willenhall, near Wolverhampton, who denies aiding and abetting indecent assault. She has been cleared, on the judge's direction, of two charges of aiding and abetting rape.

Howley was questioned about the allegation that he had shown pornographic videos to the two girls, but he said they were not telling the truth.

He admitted that he had seen sex videos but it was when he had worked at the British Sugar factory in Kidderminster. He said it was common practice for blue films to be shown in the social club.

Howley denied he was obsessed with young girls. He added: "I have never touched a girl under the age of 16 except when I was under the age of 16 myself."

The trial continues.