Mr Imiela denies nine counts of rape and one of abduction

Antoni Imiela, 49, of Appledore, Kent, is accused of rapes in Surrey, west London, Kent and Hertfordshire.

He also denies charges of kidnap and indecent assault in Birmingham.

In a continuing case, the former railway worker told Maidstone Crown Court that he had been gay for most of his life.

DNA profile

When asked about his movements on 15 November 2001, when a 10-year-old was raped in Ashford, Mr Imiela denied going there that night.

His counsel, Rebecca Poulet QC, reminded him of DNA evidence which showed his profile matched that of the attacker, with the chances of it being anyone else being one in a billion.

Crying, Mr Imiela said: "I don't think you will believe me. It would be difficult to convince you it was not me."

He added: "I did not rape the girl."

Earlier, he told the court he had a relationship with a man between 1979 and 1981 and said: "I've been gay most of my life."

Gay men and prostitutes

The jury heard he would arrive home late from work, sometimes at 2300 GMT, after meeting gay men at bars in London, and prostitutes.

As the defence case opened, the former railway worker cried when asked if something had happened to his family in 1968.

He pointed to his counsel and said: "You promised not to mention that."

Mr Imiela said he was born in West Germany in 1954 to a Polish father and German mother who were both refugees.

He said he moved to the UK in 1961 and lived in Worthing, West Sussex, before moving to County Durham several years later.

Mr Imiela denies committing the attacks, which allegedly took place between November 2001 and November 2002.

The trial was adjourned.