The husband of Hollywood actress Zara Phythian accused of sexually abusing a schoolgirl angrily told police 'I'm no paedophile', a court has heard.
Taekwondo 'master' Victor Marke is accused of grooming the youngster from the age of 13 alongside his wife Zara, who starred in the hit 2016 Marvel film 'Doctor Strange' with Benedict Cumberbatch.
Prosecutors claim the pair, both martial arts experts, regularly assaulted the teenager between 2005 and 2008 at their home - with Victor occasionally filming the incidents.
Jurors at Nottingham Crown Court have been told the alleged abuse began after the Markes plied the girl with rum, before Zara, who has appeared in several movies under the name Zara Phythian, 'dared' her to perform a sex act on Victor.
The assaults are said to have progressed to including full sexual intercourse, with activity taking place 'once or twice a month', with the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, being ordered 'not to tell anyone'.
The court also heard how Victor denied being a paedophile during his police interview, before adding the girl could have vindictively made the allegations because she was 'jealous' of Zara's success.
The Markes are jointly charged with 14 counts of sexual activity with a child, which they deny.
Hollywood actress Zara Phythian, 36, from Mansfield, who starred in the Marvel blockbuster with Benedict Cumberbatch ,with spouse Victor Marke, 59, are jointly charged with 14 counts of sexual activity with a child
Victor has also pleaded not guilty to indecently assaulting a 15-year-old girl from 2002 to 2003.
Transcripts from his police interviews after he was arrested on suspicion of the alleged 2002/03 offences were read to jurors by prosecutor Ahmad Hossein QC.
The hearing was told that as the 59-year-old was being quizzed by Detective Inspector Parminder Dhillon, of Notts Police, in 2017, he said: 'I'm angry about what is being said.
'I do not want to say anything bad about her (the alleged victim) because I am really angry.
'I know I play it close to the border with banter. I always have done. I chat like I am 18 myself.
'But if you are trying to say I am a paedophile, I am not.
'I am fully aware of the rights and wrongs, if that is what you are trying to say.'
Asked if he knew why the allegations had been made, Victor replied: 'No, no, no, I do not know where they have come from.'
He added the girl may have been 'jealous' of Zara, 36, who appeared in Doctor Strange shortly before the claims were reported to police.
Victor told Det Insp Dhillon: 'When me and my wife split up I remember she found it quite shocking when I ended up with Zara. I got the impression she was quite upset with me.
'In November Doctor Strange came out and Zara is all over the cinema.
'Has she (the alleged victim) had enough? Is she a bit peed off?
'I think some people may have been aware of a jealousy thing between (the girl) and Zara.'
British actress Zara Phythian, right, who starred in Doctor Strange with Benedict Cumberbatch, left. She is now on trial for child sex offences with her husband Victor
Ms Phythian as Zealot in Doctor Strange with Mads Mikkelsen (left). She is also the star of a number of martial arts action movies including Tribal: Get out Alive with another due out this year
As the individual claims – that he had indecently touched the girl on several occasions - were put to Victor, he at one point apologised for shouting, and said: 'This is paedophile s***. You have to stop this s*** now.
'I swear on God, no. I do not believe she said this. There is something going off. I don't believe she would say this. Why has she said this? She has got no reason to.
'Is she under pressure from someone? This is bulls***. You have to have a look at her. I think she is ill.
'I have had no sexual relations or contact with her. I just want to go home. I need to tell my wife this. I feel angry now.'
