A WOMAN broke down as she told a jury how a "beast" had sexually abused her as a little girl - and she said she was now reliving her alleged ordeal to protect children.

The complainant said she had not told her mother what had been happening to her more than 20 years ago because she had been frightened and did not know what words to use.

The woman claimed she had been repeatedly molested by Bruce Roper, now 64, who had inflicted pain on her and told her to be quiet .

Roper, of Ennismoor Street, Burnley, pleads not guilty to nine counts of indecent assault, said to have taken place over three years in the 1970s.

William Baker, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court Roper allegedly performed sex acts on the complainant, wouldn't stop and just told her to shut up. She did not tell her mother what was going on because she was scared of the defendant and felt she would not be believed.

Roper, it was claimed, also talked to the alleged victim in an inappropriate sexual way, telling her how women got pregnant and discussing women's things with her. The alleged abuse came to an end after the defendant's wife became pregnant.

Mr Baker said the woman only felt strong enough to make a complaint to the police last August. Roper was arrested by officers and interviewed, denied all the allegations made about him and claimed the complainant was lying.

Giving evidence, the alleged victim said as a little girl, she had been "very very frightened," by Roper's behaviour.

Asked by Mr Baker why she did not tell her mother what was happenening, she said she had been confused and scared and at the age she was then, did not know what words to use.

(Proceeding)