A FORMER taxi driver from Burnley has gone on trial accused of a series of sex assaults and rapes on young girls.

Alleged victims of Robert Nichols, 64, had only got the courage to report his behaviour around 10 years after they were molested, Burnley Crown Court heard.

One girl went to police in July 2008, claiming that Nichols had sexually touched her when she was a youngster.

This prompted another, slightly older woman, to contact police with her own serious allegations against Nichols, of Downham Grove, Burnley.

The female says that Nichols raped her repeatedly and on one occasion bit her bottom, she has alleged.

The first female also says that Nichols indecently touched her when she was only eight or nine.

Police investigating the first two sets of offences were also told by a third girl that Nichols had also sexually touched her against her will.

Arrested and interviewed by police, Nichols denied the girls’ allegations, which are said to have occurred in the Burnley Wood area.

He has pleaded not guilty to six offences of rape involving the older female, one charge of indecency involving her and five offences of indecently assaulting her.

Nichols also denies eight indecent assault offences involving the first girl and one charge of indecent assault involving the third girl.