A YOUNG girl says she didn’t stop a man sexually abusing her as she was too frightened of getting in trouble, a court heard.

Timothy Hickey, 68, of Ethelred Gardens, Wickford, is standing trial after allegedly sexually touching the girl and trying to cause her to engage in sexual activity.

Yesterday the jury at Basildon Crown Court were told he touched the girl’s private parts under her clothes.

Prosecuting, Diana Pigot, said: “The complainant was under ten at the time and he touched her private areas and asked her to touch his too.

“The crown says she was sexually abused by him.

“He touched her and later she told her mum.

“She was scared and he told her it was their little secret.

“He was arrested at his home address by police.”

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Mrs Pigot said in a police interview he denied the claims and said the child was lying.

She told the court the mother repeatedly asked the girl about the allegations.

The court was shown a video of the interview with the girl and the police. The girl told officers about the allegations and how it made her feel.

She also carried out actions and hand gestures to illustrate the alleged offences.

She said: “He touched my private parts. I did not stop it as maybe he wouldn’t stop or maybe he wouldn’t listen.

“I don’t know too much about what he was doing as I wasn’t looking.

“I was worried I would get in trouble if I said anything about it.

“But I am not worried any more about getting in trouble.”

The trial continues