RESIDENTS are using the Bullfinch child abuse case in their fight to shut down a sex shop.

The Private Shop in East Oxford is facing its annual licence renewal and opponents have seized on comments about “a sub-culture” in the Cowley Road from the Bullfinch trial to use in their objections.

Oxford City Council has received 10 formal objections, including one from city Green councillor Craig Simmons.

During one of the Bullfinch trials, barrister Lee Karu tried to explain child rapist Anjum Dogar’s part by saying it was unfortunate he was brought up in the Cowley Road. Judge Peter Rook also said the trial had been told of a sub-culture in the road where there was “little moral compass”.

But last night Darker Enterprises, which operates the Private shop, said it was wrong to link it to Bullfinch.

Green councillor Dick Wolff said residents had contacted him objecting to the licence renewal.

He has passed on those objections and added: “The residents are objecting and I am representing those views. (Those views) are based on Bullfinch.”

Green colleague Mr Simmons said: “The Bullfinch inquiry highlighted that the environs of the Cowley Road are a contributing factor and although it’s not to do with the sex shop itself, it is contributing to the gritty sub-culture of the Cowley Road and so that is what convinced me (to object).”

But Darker Enterprises director Mike Brown said: “It is wrong to single us out.

“We’ve been operating in the area for 20 years and we provide a service to people.”

Residents have previously fought and lost over the renewal of the shop’s licence.

In 2010 and 2011 there were objections, but none last year.

Bruce Gillingham, 65, rector of St Clement’s Church, who lives in Rectory Road, said: “We’re bound to look at things differently in the light of the Bullfinch trial, it’s certainly caused concern.

“We want to see the spirit and the ethos of Cowley road raised so that all people feel welcome.”

Natasha Field, 35, owner of The Fibreworks Oxford in Cowley Road said any objection to the shop is wrong.

She added: “I think complaints against the licence renewal are just over the top.

“I don’t think a sex shop has anything to do with the Bullfinch case – it’s a completely separate issue.”

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “I support the residents who do not wish to see anything give a seedy image to the area.

“The shop and its customers also have rights of course, and the licensing authority will have to weigh up the evidence.”

Green Party councillor Elise Benjamin, of Magdalen Road, said: “My feeling is that with Bullfinch there has been more concern, especially with Mr Karu’s comment about Cowley Road.”

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said that the force had not put in a formal objection to the licence renewal.

Oxford City Council’s licensing sub-committee hearing, which will decide the outcome of the application, takes place on Tuesday, August 20.

Nine men were jailed for a total of 95 years for the abuse of six girls in the first Bullfinch trial.