Belfast girl's rape bid trial opens in Spain today

A Belfast teenager was today due to give evidence at the trial in Spain of a man accused of slashing her throat and trying to…

A Belfast teenager was today due to give evidence at the trial in Spain of a man accused of slashing her throat and trying to rape her while on holiday.

Ms Charlene Killops was on her first foreign trip when the incident is alleged to have occurred in Benidorm during August 1999.

Ms Killops, who was 17 at the time, was returning from a nightclub with another girl when it is claimed the accused, posing as a taxi-driver, attacked her.

After the other girl was dropped off it is alleged the driver, Mr Enrique Garcia, grabbed her and tried to rape her.

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As she struggled to escape Ms Killops claims the accused slashed her with a knife, narrowly missing her jugular and leaving her requiring 26 stitches.

She was one of three girls allegedly attacked by the accused, whose father is a taxi driver. He is said to have used his father's cab without his knowledge to pick up fares.

Mr Garcia, who has been in custody since his arrest shortly after the incident, is due to go on trial in the neighbouring town of Alicante.

PA