A Iranian mother from Clapham, who uncovered her daughter's secret relationship compared it to like finding out her husband was sleeping with another woman, a court heard.

Mitra Eidiani, 42, from Clapham, told police after she was arrested that her daughter's virginity was "important for us" because they are Muslim.

She said it was important to her husband Ali Safaraei, 56, to know whether their daughter Sophia Safaraei, 18, was "still a girl or not", a court heard.

Eidiani and Safaraei allegedly tried forced Sophia Safaraei, 18, to take a "virginity test" after she was caught at home with boyfriend Bailey Marshall-Telfer, also 18.

SEE MORE: Clapham parents 'threaten to kill daughter and boyfriend' after secret relationship discovered

Eidiani told a jury: "It might be easy for people out of my life, like their friends or maybe you - that was a single thing that was not a big deal.

"I'm upset, I'm seeing my husband sleeping with a woman, that's breaking my trust. It's the same - trust is trust."

Eidiani found Mr Marshall-Telfer with her daughter in May 2018 after she arrived at home early from work.

The jury at Kingston Crown Court was read a statement she gave to police after she was arrested over allegations the couple threatened to kill Sophia and Mr Marshall-Telfer.

Reading the statement, prosecutor David Povall said: "It was really important for my husband if she is a virgin or not - if she's still a girl or not."

Eidiani is also accused of biting Sophia when she discovered the affair, but she claimed that was to break up a fight between the teenager and her sister.

Cross examining Mr Povall said: "You bit her because she had not agreed to have a virginity test, didn't you? It was punishment."

Eidiani replied: "No I'm not a dog to bite my daughter. I had my daughter for 18 years.

"I know that you are male and you not understanding me."

Mr Povall asked: "The entire purpose of taking her to the doctor was to check whether she had been having sex without your approval, wasn't it?"

She said: "That was my husband's opinion."

Mr Povall added: "I suggest that everything Sophia and Bailey described as happening over those few days was as a result of your anger and your husband's anger at her disobedience, isn't that right?

"You threatened both of them, you assaulted her and you did your very best to take complete control of her life."

Safaraei and Eidiani, both of Wandsworth deny two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour and one count of making a threat to kill.

Eidiani also denies one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

She pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage at an earlier hearing.

The trial continues.