AN army cadet allegedly repeatedly had sex with a schoolgirl in Accrington, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard Daniel Cassidy, now 23, had touched and kissed the alleged victim and had then had full sexual intercourse with her in the school holidays.

Cassidy went on to later join the army after the alleged offences, said to have taken place when he was 16. He said there was no sexual contact with the girl, the court heard.

Cassidy, of Maudsley Street, Accrington, denies three allegations of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Alison Mather, prosecuting, told the jury in May last year, the alleged victim made certain disclosures to her friends about what had allegedly happened to her when she was much younger.

Police were contacted and the girl was video interviewed last May 26. During the course of the interview, she said they had begun kissing and the alleged victim described it to the police as the sort of kiss one would expect in a relationship between people.

Miss Mather said the alleged victim claimed Cassidy had carried out sex acts on her and put her hand down his trousers.

He also, she alleged, repeatedly had full intercourse with her at various locations. She didn’t tell anybody what happened.

She told officers Cassidy later tried to kiss her again on several occasions, but she slapped him as she felt very uncomfortable and he desisted.

The prosecutor said the defendant was arrested last May 27 and made no reply when cautioned. He was taken to the police station and questioned.

Cassidy denied having any sexual contact with the alleged victim and said he would not do what she had alleged.

Miss Mather said: “At no point does she ever suggest he was aggressive towards her or say he showed any violence towards her.”