A Florida man accused of sexually battering an eight-year-old girl allegedly told detectives it was her fault for "wearing provocative clothing".

Sydney Allan Markland, 68, is accused of sexually assaulting the child, who knew him, at his home in Ocala, Marion County, in July last year.
After the assault, Markland "told [the victim] not to tell anyone, kissed her on the cheek and read from the Bible" according to a detective report.

Markland was a well known member of the community, often called "Dread" because of his hair style. One neighbour described him as man who "knows the Bible and preaches it inside out".

Police claim that Markland admitted to the assault and offered two separate lines of defence: first, that such actions were permissible in his "culture" and, second, that she had encouraged the sexual contact.

"She was wearing provocative clothing," Markland told detectives, according to their report. "Her actions suggested that she was consenting to sexual contact."