A PENSIONER is standing trial after being accused of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl almost two decades ago.

Robert Bolton, 79, of Duke Street, Askam, is charged with two counts of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14.

On the first day of his trial the jury was told that between January 1999 and January 2004 Bolton twice assaulted a young girl.

Giving evidence, the claimant, who cannot be identified, said leading up to the alleged assault Bolton plied her with sherry, the alcohol being referred to as "go to bed pop".

The alleged victim said she didn't know how to react, only that she wanted to run away after Bolton touched her on intimate parts of her body.

She said: "I didn't know where to run to. He tried to go under my knickers."

The alleged victim said she thought the assault lasted for around 15 to 20 minutes.

Bolton's barrister, Nicholas Clark, said the victim had a documented history of lying as a child, and the allegations of abuse were fabricated.

He said: "You told the police you were really naughty (as a child) and would 'always lie about stuff, because you did always used to lie'. Those are words which you used to the police."

The alleged victim admitted she used to lie, but the lies were about "stealing fags" and "stealing money", maintaining the abuse allegations were the truth.

Bolton denies both charges.

The trial at Barrow Crown Court continues.