A british army translator accused of spying for Iran was a voodoo priest who used black magic to protect the commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan from the Taliban, a court heard.

Iranian-born Daniel James, 45, who was the personal interpreter to General David Richards, told the Old Bailey that he used pictures, dust, candles and seashells to cast spells protect his boss.

He also said he did Tarot card readings for other personnel at the Allied HQ in Kabul to predict the future. James is alleged to have passed on secret information about Allied troop movements to the Iranians - who then passed it on to the Taliban. Giving evidence, James swore on the Bible but said he embraced all religions before telling the court how he converted to Voodoo while on his yearly trips to Cuba to research salsa in 2003. He claimed to be a priest who had recorded 10 Voodoo DVDs. James said:

"I actually did black magic for General Richards praying to God to protect him from the Taliban. He explained: "Yoruba is the name of the religion. It is voodoo and black magic. I became the equivalent of a priest in the Church of England."

Corporal James told the court he ran salsa dance lessons from his Brighton club "Capital of Salsa" and dubbed himself "King of Salsa" before selling his businesses in 2005 just as he was called up to Afghanistan as a volunteer in the Territorial Army. As a dancer he regularly appeared on 1980s TV show 'Solid Soul' after an invitation by Jonathan Ross, who was then a television researcher, and he was a kick-boxing body builder who was one of Britain's top three power lifters, the court heard.

It is alleged James was a 'Walter Mitty' character who had "grandiose ideas about himself and his own self-importance". He told the jury he agreed with allegations that when he translated for General Richards as he addressed a crowd of Afghan dignitaries he would sometimes act like a general.  Full Article