A COACH driver accused of molesting a schoolboy told a jury it did not happen and nothing sexual ever went on.

Michael Ward, 55, said the child had gone to his flat because he was bored at home and he had not been at all upset when he had taken him home after the alleged offence.

Asked by his barrister if he had told the boy he could not wait until he was 16, the defendant replied: "I never said that to him at all."

Ward, of King Street, Great Harwood, denies indecent assault, said to have taken place on January 6, last year.

The prosecution has alleged Ward, then working for Robinsons Holidays, of Great Harwood, took the complainant to his flat, threw him on the floor and committed a sex act.

He was said to have told the schoolboy that he loved him.

Questioned by his counsel Mark Stuart, the defendant said nothing sexual had gone on between him and the boy.

He said he had put on a kaftan when the child was at his flat as the premises was warm. He said he would wear either a kaftan or shorts at home.

He said it was true he had given money to his two young lodgers so they could go out for the evening, but said it was not true he had done it so he could be alone with the alleged victim.

Ward said he and the schoolboy watched Lethal Weapon together but half way through Lethal Weapon Two, the child said he was tired and so he took him home.

Cross-examined by Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, the defendant said the door to his flat was locked after the couple left as he always kept it locked.

He agreed he had not been wearing anything underneath his kaftan but added that he never did.

(Proceeding)