A YOUTH accused of raping a schoolgirl beneath a seafront amusement park as hundreds of holidaymakers passed within feet of them, yesterday told a court the girl had encouraged him.

The 16-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to raping the 15-year-old girl, in August last year.

He is accused of attacking her on sand beneath Lunar Park in Scarborough and is on trial at York Crown Court.

He told the jury he had seen the girl a couple of times, but had only spoken to her after spotting her with one of his friends.

He said that, as they walked along the seafront, the other youth had tried to fondle the girl, which she complained about, and he told her to hit him.

He said that the trio had stopped in Dog and Duck Lane, where he and the other youth smoked cannabis and then had the idea to go under the amusement arcade platform to look for money which had dropped from above through spaces between the boards.

He said the other youth left after the girl said she preferred the accused, and they began fondling each other.

He told the jury: "She came on to me and we had full sex. She never said she did not want to.

"I never raped her, she was a willing party to what took place. I would never do a thing like that."

The hearing continues.