A FORMER special constable accused of raping a schoolgirl and having sex with another kept one teenager’s underwear as a trophy, a court heard.

Andrew Barber, of Netley Close, Ipswich, denied raping the 15-year-old, and two counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old, when his trial began at Norwich Crown Court.

The jury was told the alleged rape took place in October 2003. The remaining two alleged offences were said to have occurred in November 2010, five months after the 26-year-old was sworn in as a special constable.

The earliest allegation occurred after Barber had met the 15-year-old at Ipswich’s Gainsborough Sports Centre.

Lindsay Cox, prosecuting, said phone numbers were exchanged and on the day they were due to meet the girl received text messages asking her what she was wearing and what underwear she had on.

Another text allegedly from Barber said he hoped she would bring some underwear to their date for him to keep. The court was told the girl told him not to be so stupid.

That evening they met up at the sports centre, before going to shops in the Landseer Road area, and then to Landseer Park at Barber’s suggestion. Mr Cox said it was there the girl was raped in the dark, near the BMX track.

Afterwards Barber was said to have told the girl: “Next time, if I ask you to bring something and you don’t then that’s what happens. If you had just brought what I asked then none of this would have happened. That’s your fault.”

Mr Cox also told the court Barber apologised for what had happened as they walked back the sports centre after the alleged attack.

Although police were subsequently told of the allegation, Mr Cox said the girl’s parents did not want it pursued and the inquiry was shelved.

Barber was also said to have struck up a relationship with a 14-year-old girl in 2010. It is alleged that on two occasions in November 2010 they had consensual sex in Barber’s car. On separate occasions it is alleged Barber helped himself to a pair of the girl’s knickers and a bra.

Barber was sworn in as a special constable in June 2010. Mr Cox said Barber told the girl she should act as if she did not know him if they saw each other at the police station.

However, an adult found out about their relationship and informed police, who linked Barber to the earlier rape inquiry. He was arrested on December 21, 2010.

The court heard that when Barber was told his home would be searched he produced a carrier bag with a number of items of ladies’ underwear, one of which was identified by the 14-year-old as hers. The trial continues.