Abuse accused didn't know how old boy was - court

Andrew Mackenzie has pleaded not guilty to all the charges

A man accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy had a "niggling feeling" he was not 18 but did not know how young he was, a court has heard.

Andrew Mackenzie, 55, said he was introduced to the teenager by a man dubbed one of his "rent boys" and assumed he also sold sex.

He denies four counts of sexual activity with a child.

Mr Mackenzie, from Cardiff, said he knew the teenager had broken his phone and needed money for a new one.

He said they had chatted about sex for cash and the boy told him "he would do anything for money".

He added: “I didn’t think he was 100% 18. I had a little niggling feeling.”

Cardiff Crown Court heard Mr Mackenzie had been a criminal since he was 18 with convictions for fraud, forgery and growing and supplying cannabis.

The trial was told that, after finding God, he directed a charity called Poor and Hungry and ran a cafe called Coffee and Cakes in Cardiff.

Mr Mackenzie said he wanted to know more about the boy before deciding whether to pay him for sex.

"I just wanted to make out with him, have sex and then go home," the court heard.

Texts between Mr Mackenzie and the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were read in court.

In one, the boy said his mum would not let him go out without knowing where he was going.

In another, they discussed meeting on a Sunday and Mr Mackenzie suggested the boy told his mother he was volunteering at the coffee shop.

“I just wanted to get laid,” he told the court.

The court heard semen belonging to Mr Mackenzie and the boy was found on a duvet belonging to the accused.

He said the boy’s could have been brought into the bedroom in a cup, adding: "I don't sleep with 14-year-olds."

The trial continues.