A 64-year-old man allegedly molested three little girls "using similar tactics," on all his victims, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Peter Cuttell, who tried to kill himself after one of the children made an allegation against him, used a 'pattern and theme', starting by tickling the girls and then moving on to sexual contact.

He told police he found one of the complainants very attractive and would have been in love with her if he was her age.

He claimed one of the others was cunning, he never liked her and she had thrown herself at him.

Cuttell, then living at Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, denies 15 counts of indecent assault, said to have taken place between January 1996 and November 2000.

Rebecca Lloyd-Smith, prosecuting, said the mother of one of the girls saw her daughter looking upset and the defendant seemed embarrassed.

The child said Cuttell had been touching her and she had touched him but when the mother challenged Cuttell, he said nothing had happened.

The defendant, worried that police may be contacted, later admitted what the girl said was true, but said it was a laugh which got out of hand.

The second complainant made an allegation she had been indecently assaulted by the defendant and he took an overdose.

He left a note saying what the little girl had said was not true.

The three alleged victims were later interviewed by police. The first child claimed Cuttell had fondled her and had a 'quick feel', of her body.

Miss Lloyd-Smith said the second child told how Cuttell's alleged behaviour had been 'yucky and scary' and she had hit him.

The third complainant was also frightened by the defendant's alleged actions and had locked herself in a room.

The prosecutor told the court when Cuttell was interviewed, he denied all the allegations of inappropriate behaviour and said he had never admitted anything to one of the girl's mothers.

He accepted he had made an inappropriate remark in front of the second complainant and said she had bullied an abused him.

Cuttell denied his suicide attempt had anything to do with the girl and said she may be malicious or spiteful.

(Proceeding)