THE prosecution in the Oxford child sex exploitation trial yesterday said the evidence “proves” all nine defendants are guilty as it closed its case at the Old Bailey.

Finishing his closing speech, prosecutor Noel Lucas said there was a “distinct pattern” of abuse and all the defendants were linked.

The nine men, aged between 24 and 38, deny abusing six complainants aged between 11 and 15.

However, Mr Lucas told the jury evidence showed the defendants – including brothers Akhtar and Anjum Dogar, and Mohammed Karrar – all had interests in young girls.

He said: “Between 2004 and 2011 there was a pattern, a distinct pattern, to the grooming and abuse of underage girls in the Oxford area.

“The pattern was seen in the conduct of the Dogars and their associates and in the conduct of Mohammed Karrar and his associates. Most recently a similar pattern is seen with the younger defendants and the younger complainants.”

He added: “We the Crown, submit to you the jury, that the evidence placed before you proves the guilt of each defendant on each of the charges they face.”

Mohammed Karrar, 38, is accused of raping and violently sexually assaulting a girl from the age of 11. His brother Bassam, 33, is suspected of a “brutal” rape of a 14-year-old. They are both charged with arranging for girls to be raped for money.

Mr Lucas said the brothers groomed and abused their victims “with a certain visciousness and depravity”. Speaking about Bassam Karrar, he said: “If he wanted sex, he simply takes it.”

The prosecution barrister also told the jury Bassam Karrar had not had the “courage” to take the witness stand to defend himself.

Mr Lucas said three defendants must have known the alleged victim, known as Girl 5, was underage when they gave her drink and drugs and had sex with her.

Speaking of Assad Hussain, who Girl 5 claims she had sex with aged 14, he said: “By 2011, he had been married for four years and cannot have failed to appreciate the difference in behaviour between an over excitable 14-year-old and a more mature person.”

Girl 1 also claims Hussain raped her when she was aged between 13 and 15.

Mr Lucas said: “We submit the evidence of each girl is clear and powerful. Their evidence proves Assad Hussain’s continuing interest in having sexual relations with underage girls in circumstances where the girls were vulnerable and often the worse for wear through drink and drugs.”

He questioned whether Mohammed Hussain had told the truth when he testified that he thought Girl 5 was over 16 when he had sex with her in 2011.

He said: “The evidence as to her appearance and behaviour makes it clear that he could have no reasonable belief that she was under 16. He certainly did not treat her as if she was over 16 by taking her to clubs or pubs.”

Mr Lucas also told the jury Girl 5 and 6 had given “clear evidence” Zeeshan Ahmed had sex with them knowing they were underage.

He added that Zeeshan’s cousin Bilal Ahmed had been invited to Oxford to have sex with Girl 5.

He said: “Bilal Ahmed’s interest in spending time with cousin Zeeshan in the course of 2011 was in no small way inspired by the fact that his cousin had introduced him to (Girl 5) and the two of them were abusing her for their own sexual gratification.”

The defendants deny all charges.

The trial continues.