The girl pushed private hire driver Mohammed Shafiq's hand away from her thigh before trying to stamp on it in the footwell of the vehicle, Peterborough Crown Court was told yesterday.

She told jurors he had repeatedly asked if she "did business" after picking her up from Woodston, Peterborough, and had asked for her telephone number.

The 18-year-old said Shafiq (39) locked the cab's doors and would not let her out at Tesco in Serpentine Green, Hampton, Peterborough, despite her paying the £5 fare.

Prosecutor Charles Myatt said the teenager had called the cab firm after waiting for a bus for 45 minutes, at about 1pm on October 18, last year.

He said: "As they were nearing Tesco, the taxi driver started to say things (to the complainant) which caused her some concern. He asked her if she did business."

Mr Myatt said the girl paid the fare when they pulled up at the Hampton store, but he then pulled away when a van pulled up behind them and the driver tooted his horn.

Mr Myatt said: "The defendant kept on saying that he wanted her phone number and that he knew she did business.

"Then (the complainant) remembers the taxi driver doing something with his hand towards his door.

"She tried to open the passenger door, but was not able to do so."

Shafiq then drove the red Skoda Octavia to another area of the car park, the court heard.

The teenager, giving evidence from behind screens, wiped away years as she recalled the incident. She said: "I was getting nervous because this man kept asking me if I did business.

"I went to get out, but the door was locked and he started to pull away.

"I said 'I have paid, can I go please'.

"He just carried on driving."

The woman told jurors Shafiq put his hand on her thigh.

She said: "I told him to get off me. I was banging on the window because there were people walking by, but they were just ignoring me and just carried on walking away.

"I got the man's left hand with my right hand and I pulled it down and stood on his hand. I stamped on it."

The woman then tried the door again and managed to escape and run towards the shopping centre.

Police were called and found Shafiq still in the car park.

The court heard Shafiq told police he had been asking for her friend's phone number who he thought was a prostitute.

He also told officers the car did not have central locking but later admitted it did.

Shafiq, of Hankey Street, Millfield, Peterborough, denies sexual assault.

The trial continues.