A SCHOOLGIRL told a jury how a man repeatedly fondled her and told her not to tell her mother.

The girl, from the Accrington area, claimed Carl Lynch, 37, struck five times but she was too scared to reveal what was allegedly going on as she thought he may hit her.

She said the touching started when she was about 10 and went on for a year. Asked by a specially trained police officer how she felt about what the defendant did to her, the alleged victim, who is now in her teens, replied: "I was really disgusted. I don't know how he could have done that." Lynch, then of Lancaster Drive, Clayton-le-Moors, and now of Smithills Close, Chorley, denies three counts of indecent assault.

The complainant, giving evidence via video link at Burnley Crown Court, told the jury Lynch would close the door, put his hand down the inside of her trousers and "stroke" her.

The girl said he told her not to tell her mother and she was scared. She claimed the alleged abuse stopped when she had just turned 11. She said she remembered the date because she was having a "really bad day."

The complainant said she was frightened Lynch would hit her "or something," if she told what was happening and did not say anything until the end of last year.

Asked by the police woman why she decided to make the complaint then, she answered; "I kept getting upset at school. I just couldn't keep it to myself any more."

The teenager said she told her teacher and head of year and the police were informed. She then told her mother.

The officer went on: "How do you feel now that you have been able to tell people what happened ?" The schoolgirl replied: "I sort of feel better."

Cross examined by Richard Hunt, defending Lynch, the girl said he would get drunk a lot. She agreed she had not been doing particularly well at school at the time she made her complaint about the allegations.

The girl said it was also true that after the date she stated the alleged assaults stopped, there were opportunities for it still to happen.

(Proceeding)