A “VULNERABLE” girl told police a man accused of having sex with her strangled her and pulled her hair, a court heard.

The teenager also told officers she had developed feelings for her alleged attacker, during an interview last April.

Michael Tonge, 35, of Leamington Road, Southend, allegedly took part in a series of sexual acts with the child, the jury at Basildon Crown Court was told.

He is standing trial after denying charges of sexual activity with a child, engaging in sexual communication with a child and making indecent photographs of a child.

Yesterday the court was shown a video interview with the girl when she explained the alleged sex acts with the man.

She said: “He didn’t force me to have sex and I did consent to it. He pulled my hair and strangled me. I told him I couldn’t breathe slightly and he had his hand around my throat for about two minutes.

“He also called me fat and ugly and told me it wasn’t any good. He told me he would get in trouble if I told anyone as there was an age gap.

“I didn’t tell anyone at all and I had feelings for him but don’t any more. I didn’t want to get into trouble for messaging him and felt it was all my fault.

“I knew what we were doing was wrong but I don’t know any more about how it made me feel.”

Prosecuting, Diana Pigot, told the court on Monday that they began to chat and get close in 2019 and she described the girl as “vulnerable.”

She said the girl became fond of him and she had said he made her feel special.

The court was also told that the online messages and later text messages were sexual and had developed into physical sexual acts.

Speaking to police in an interview played in court, the girl added: “I had hurt myself and told a friend who later told a teacher at school.

“I also had flashbacks for a time as well.”

She was crying during the interview and admitted messaging Tonge after saving his number under another name.

Tonge denies all charges against him.

The trial continues.