Mr Imiela denies nine counts of rape and one of abduction

Antoni Imiela claimed officers put his fingerprint on a bag belonging to a rape victim in Stevenage, and he said he "wouldn't put anything past" them.

Mr Imiela, 49, of Appledore, Kent, denies committing nine rapes in Kent, Surrey, west London and Hertfordshire.

He also denies charges of kidnap and indecent assault in Birmingham, in the continuing Maidstone Crown Court case.

Police 'under pressure'

Mr Imiela told the court on Thursday: "I think the police were under quite a lot of pressure in this case and if somebody fitted one bit of DNA they would fit them up."

Earlier, he told the court that if he was guilty, he would have fled the country and avoided leaving evidence by using a condom.

When questioned about the alleged kidnap and attempted rape of a 10-year-old girl in Birmingham, he said he only talked to the girl and then gave her �10 for a taxi home.

He said he was in the area after taking a day off work.

He had agreed to take two hitchhikers from an M25 service station to Manchester, where he was going to visit a former boyfriend.

But he said there was no answer at the house, so he went to Birmingham "for no particular reason".

DNA components

Mark Dennis, prosecuting, asked why a 10-year-old would make up a story about being assaulted.

Mr Imiela said: "If you believe the little girl then fair do's."

He said the girl made up the story to get out of trouble.

Mr Dennis said DNA was found on the girl's face and hands which matched Mr Imiela's profile and told the defendant it was "a bit of a coincidence".

Mr Imiela denied that the attack was "one last act of defiance" because he knew he would be arrested when DNA comparisons were completed.

Indian chief tattoo

As the cross-examination concluded, Mr Dennis accused Mr Imiela of lying consistently.

The former railway worker replied: "I haven't lied knowingly."

Defending, Rebecca Poulet QC, said: "I'm going to ask you finally if you committed any of these offences."

Mr Imiela shook his head and said: "No."

The court was told Mr Imiela had his arm tattooed with the image of an Indian chief at a shop in Rye, East Sussex, in May 2002.

The case was adjourned.