Pastor Dave Alleyne of the Flaming Word Ministry of Chaguanas has come to the defence of his 14-year-old daughter whose raunchy dance with international superstar Akon of Senegal can be seen worldwide on YouTube.

Alleyne yesterday described the racy dance video of his 14-year-old daughter and Akon as "atrocious" but said that Deena was taken advantage of when she attended a concert at which Akon, a hip hop and R&B artiste was featured.

"She likes dancing and won a competition," Alleyne said, adding that she became a victim in a situation where she had no control.

Deena was filmed dancing with the superstar during his performance at the Zen nightclub last Thursday in Port of Spain. She had won the first stage of a competition which carried prizes, including a "free trip" to Africa. There was however no free trip to Africa as at the end of the competition, Akon said he was Africa.

Pastor Alleyne has been under attack by members of his Chaguanas ministry who wanted to know why he had failed to voice his opposition to Akon's performance .

Alleyne said he was "shocked" by the "atrocious" video and Akon's performance which bordered on sexual simulations.

In defence of his daughter, Alleyne said that children were exposed to pop culture and were fascinated by pop stars.

"They are innocent to the wicked ways of the world and it is our responsibility as elders to keep them safe," he said, adding that his duty was not to penalise his daughter but to be understanding of the situation and to assist her to grow stronger. There was no comment from Deena.

Outraged church-goers said that Akon sang about sexual promiscuity and should be banned from public performances by the church.

Express reader Elspeth Duncan of St Augustine said the pastor's daughter was treated like a lifeless ragdoll by the star who flung her body around the stage without regard.

She said that the video which had been sent to her showed a crowd laughing and cheering the singer on.

Another Pentecostal pastor, Winston Cuffie of Miracle Ministries, who has come out against the visit to Tobago by pop superstar Elton John next week because of his sexual orientation, has also come under fire for his failure to condemn the actions of Akon, whose stage performance was described by some as " disgusting, degrading and violent."

Cuffie, of McBean, Couva, could not be reached yesterday. Officials of his ministry said he would be asked to contact the Express but up to late evening he had not returned telephone calls.