THE leader of a Maoist “cult” who impregnated a follower from Tregaron proceeded to keep their daughter captive for the next 30 years, a London court has been told.

Aravindan Balakrishnan, 75, who set up the London commune, treated female followers as his sex slaves by “bullying and brainwashing” them into believing they would die if they did not worship him as a god, it was alleged.

Mr Balakrishnan began a sexual relationship with Sian Davies, a one-time talented sportswomam whose family said had “disappeared” after moving to London to study economics.

When her baby bump began to show he “accused her of allowing the bourgeoisie to attack her and of having gas in her stomach”, jurors at Southwark Crown Court heard.

When Ms Davies gave birth in 1983 “the defendant insisted that the baby was the result of electronic warfare”, said prosecutor Rosina Cottage QC.

Miss Davies was not allowed to breastfeed or cuddle her child, who became “collective property”.

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