Belfast man remanded in custody after accused of raping two girls he allegedly picked up in his car

A Belfast man has been remanded in custody after appearing before a special court sitting accused of raping two girls he allegedly picked up in his car.Dean Ashqar (32) from Sunningdale Gardens, Belfast is charged with four counts of rape relating to two girls on September 30, as well as possessing a quantity of cannabis.A detective constable told Belfast Magistrates Court that Ashqar allegedly picked up two girls, described in court as “highly vulnerable” and drove them to his home where the sexual assaults occurred.Both girls later made disclosures and police were alerted.During interview Ashqar refused to provide his phone which police have been unable to locate. However it has been established the girls were added to his Snapchat account, which police believe gives him a means to contact them.A defence solicitor said his client gave “a lengthy and full account of his movements” and stressed both females indicated they were aged 18 and 19 respectively.Ashqar claimed to have gone to the Dublin Road area of Belfast around 1am to collect a friend who didn’t appear. It was conceded he provided only his friend’s first name as he, “does not wish to bring him into the equation”.While there, the two…
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