A CHURCH postmaster said to have groped a pregnant customer in his shop told police he did not do it - and was at a loss to explain why she would accuse him, a jury heard.

Alan Holden, 60, is also alleged to have groomed a schoolgirl for his sexual gratification and has been described as "a sexual predator" by the prosecution at Burnley Crown Court.

The defendant, alleged to have struck at the premises he ran in Dill Hall Lane, is said to have given the 12-year-old girl massages, to have talked to her about people walking around naked, given her money and sweets, and to have said he might take her to Thailand.

Holden, who lives with his wife at Dill Hall Lane, is alleged to have rubbed the pregnant woman's stomach and then slipped his hands down her underwear while they were alone in the post office.

Holden denies four counts of indecent assault between January 1996 and December 1999 and one count of sexual assault in October 2006.

The jury heard yesterday how the defendant was arrested on October 24 2006 at the post office.

Holden told police the pregnant woman lifted up her top and invited him to feel her stomach. He said at no time did he put his hand down her clothes.

The court was told Holden claimed to the officers he had then served the woman, they discussed what she was calling the baby, and she left the post office perfectly happy.

The defendant said he was confused and frustrated over the allegations as he knew he did not do anything inappropriate and he had not intended anything sexual.

(Proceeding).