Zara Phythian, a martial artist and actress who appeared in the 2016 Marvel blockbuster “Dr. Strange,” is accused of grooming and participating in sex acts with a 13-year-old in 2005.

The BBC reported that the trial is underway in a British court.  Phythian, now 36, and her 59-year-old husband Victor Marke, is accused of a sexual relationship with the underage girl. It is alleged to have started in 2005 and continued for 3 years.

The couple is being charged with 14 counts of sexual activity with a child in the U.K.

Martial artists charged

Phythian and Marke, are both martial arts practitioners. They have been married since 2015.

Jurors in Nottingham Crown Court were shown a 2016 police interview. The alleged victim gave details of her involvement with the couple. 

According to the accuser, the improper liaison began when she was given alcohol. Then she was dared to perform fellatio on Marke. And Phythian is accused of turning the event into a ménage à trois.

The woman, who was a young teenager, at the time of the allegations, claims the couple recorded some of their sexual encounters.

The victim told police she knew it was “wrong” to be involved with the older couple. And she didn’t know how to get out of the situation.

She claims Marke threatened her if she reported what was going on. And he assured her no one would believe her story. 

Her involvement allegedly started because she admired Phythian.

“I remember trying to copy Zara’s reaction at the time because I looked up to her and tried to be like her in every way,” she said.

Phythian and Marke deny the woman's accusations against them. And claim to be innocent of all charges.

Zara Phythian film star 

Marke's attorney Francis McGrath, accused the woman of making the allegations in December 2016, because Zara Phythian was at the 'height of her success' following Doctor Strange. 

The lawyer said that the woman found out through social media about Phythian's popularity after the release of the superhero film.

 The actress appeared in the first “Dr. Strange” superhero movie with Benedict Cumberbatch. But does not appear in the 2nd installment due to be released next month.

Her film credits also include 2018′s “Outlawed” and “Dragon Kingdom.”

She has worked in numerous other films for over 15 years. Zara is an actor, and stunt performer and has even been a producer on films like Tribal Get Out Alive.  

Marke was previously accused of indecent assault against a different child nearly 20 years ago. During the first accusation, he was married to his first wife. Marke, who is 20-years-older than Phythian is alleged to have begun a relationship with her when she was a teenager.