FORMER employees of pub and restaurant boss Mohammed Ramzan told a court they never saw Eleanor Williams working for him.

Preston Crown Court heard Williams, who faces multiple charges of perverting the course of justice, accused Ramzan of trafficking her for sex across Barrow, the North West and to Amsterdam.

Jurors previously heard that the 21-year-old defendant told police she first met Mr Ramzan, also known as Mo Rammy, at a party at the age of 12 and later worked at several restaurants owned by him, including Mr Elephant on Walney.

But employees who said they worked at the Indian restaurant, now The King Alfred hotel, told the court Williams did not work there.

Giving evidence, Naomi Sargent said she started working at the restaurant at the age of 14.

Asked by Jonathan Sandiford KC, prosecuting, if she ever saw anyone called Eleanor Williams working there, she said: "I did not."

Her mother Kim Sargent also gave evidence, telling the court she would often 'help out' at the restaurant while her daughter was working.

Asked if she ever had any concerns about her daughter working for Mr Razman, she said: "No, not at all."

Asked if she ever came across the defendant while working there, she said no, adding:  "I've never seen her before."

She said Mr Ramzan was a 'family friend, because we've known him since he's been in Barrow'.

"He treated my daughter like a little sister," she said.

Oasa Fitzgerald said she worked behind the bar and as bar manager, with responsibility for the administration of wages and accounts.

Asked if she had done wages for anyone called Eleanor Williams, she said no.

She told the court she first became aware of Williams through a Facebook post she saw in 2020.

"It was massive. It was all over Facebook," she said.

In his evidence, delivery driver Scott Milburn agreed he was not aware of Williams ever working at Mr Elephant.

The previous day Mr Ramzan wept in the witness box as he told the court he had never been involved in human trafficking or ever committed any offences against Williams.

He told the court the notion he had ever sold girls for sex was 'disgusting', saying: "I've got a daughter, I've got nieces."

Describing his reaction to being arrested, he said: "I said 'this is ridiculous, this is absolutely insane'.

Williams denies seven charges of perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.