Amesbury man Brian Cerqua on trial in Salisbury for child rape

Mr Cerqua was found not guilty on all counts on Friday, April 19.

Brian Lee Cerqua, of Amesbury, has been charged with six counts of sexual activity with a child which are said to have taken place between April 24, 2006, and April 23, 2009.

The victim, who was 13-15 when the offences allegedly took place, "kept the abuse secret" until she had her own daughter and saw a storyline of abuse on Eastenders.

Cerqua, 47, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday, April 8, for the start of his trial which is expected to last eight days.

Read more: Court reporting: Why do local newspapers report on court cases?

It's alleged that Cerqua had sex with the victim at his Lyndhurst Road bedsit and in his car when she was under the age of legal consent on not less than 10 occasions.

Brian Lee Cerqua outside Salisbury Crown Court on Monday, April 8. (Image: Newsquest)

Edward Culver, prosecuting, told the court that some of these offences took place after Cerqua had given the victim alcohol.

Opening the case, he said: "The defendant would make money from dealing or supplying drugs.

"The complainant went along with it willingly. She wanted to keep the defendant happy."

After the victim saw a storyline of abuse on Eastenders, she told her best friend of the abuse she had allegedly been subjected to in March 2021.

Eight months later, in November, the victim reported the incidents to the police.

Brian Lee Cerqua had denied all six counts of sexual activity with a child. (Image: Newsquest)

The court heard how Cerqua allegedly had sex with the victim in his car after he had "been out to buy drugs".

Mr Culver told the jury the victim said her legs "shook" after sex on one occasion and Cerqua cut her with his fingernail during a separate incident.

“[The victim's] partner was warned off by this defendant. Mr Cerqua did that by saying [the victim] was his and she had been sleeping with him for some years before he went to his home and beat him up," added Mr Culver.

“Since the allegations are some years old there is no medical evidence. There is limited phone evidence. Some facts are not contentious such as the age of some people involved and various details.

“It was clear [the victim] was under 16 throughout the period of indictment. It’s important that [the victim] was not able to legally consent to the sex.

“The prosecution say there are good reasons for her not to disclose the allegations at the time and they are truthful.

"It is now time that the abuse is known and Mr Cerqua is held to account.”

The trial continues.