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EX-IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who denies charges of pimping, has told a court in northern France that he took part in only a few rare sex parties, the BBC reported.

He said prosecutors had greatly exaggerated the frequency of his "licentious evenings." There had only been 12 in three years, he said.

Mr Strauss-Kahn is accused of helping procure sex workers for a prostitution ring based at a hotel in Lille.

He has argued that he did not know the women were prostitutes.

Although using prostitutes is not illegal in France, supplying them or assisting in supplying them is. Prosecutors have been quoted as saying Mr Strauss-Khan, 65, played a pivotal role in facilitating the orgies, describing him as the "party king."

If found guilty, the one-time potential candidate for the French presidency could face up to 10 years in jail and a €1.5m (£1.13m) fine.

As he took the stand on Tuesday, Mr Strauss-Kahn said: "I committed no crime, no offence."

"The prosecution gives the impression of unbridled activity," he told the court. But, he added, "there were only 12 parties in total - that is four per year over three years."

As he arrived in court in Lille earlier, three topless protesters from the Femen activist group jumped on his car, with "pimps, clients, guilty" painted on their chests. They were taken away by police.

The former IMF chief - widely known by his initials DSK - is expected to give evidence for three days, and has not attended the trial since it opened on 2 February, when his appearance attracted widespread international media attention.