THE former principal of a Worcestershire children's home told police a woman who accused him of raping her more than 20 years ago had "an evil streak", a jury heard.

Brian Gillam was arrested in September last year and interviewed 13 times by detectives.

During his first interview, complaints were put to him from a former resident at The Uplands in Green Hill, Blackwell, near Bromgrove, which alleged he raped and indecently assaulted her while she was in his care.

Gillam described the accusations as "lies" and said his accuser must have heard about inquiries at other children's homes where victims had received compensation.

He said: "She is a bitter woman with an evil streak in her. It's got to be financial."

'Police record and love affairs'

Gillam said she had a police record and had been involved in 17 love affairs. He wished she had never come to the home.

The defendant spent 14 years at The Uplands from 1974 after obtaining qualifications in child care. He said the home, an observation and assessment centre for Birmingham social services, had a reputation as one of the authority's best-run establishments.

Gillam, aged 62, denies five counts of rape, seven of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child at the home between 1974 and 1983.

He claims the five complainants are attention seekers or are motivated by compensation cash.

David Pemberton, a social worker at The Uplands for five years, told the court how he became concerned over Gillam's behaviour because a teenage girl was staying at the principal's bungalow after his wife left him.

When he brought up the subject with Gillam, he was told it was his own private business and did not interfere with the running of the home. Mr Pemberton left soon afterwards.

The trial continues.