Child-sex trial of man, 81

AN 81-year-old man has gone on trial accused of a campaign of sexual abuse of a young girl who was aged between four and eight.

James Fairclough, of Harewood Drive, Royton, is alleged to have subjected the girl to sex assaults during visits to the Gloucestershire village of Beachley, near Chepstow, between 2005-2010.

Sarah Regan, prosecuting, told the jury at Gloucester Crown Court the allegations came to light in November, 2010, when the girl became very upset and her mother pressed her to say what was wrong.

Ms Regan said the girl told her mother that because the defendant was due to visit in the near future she had begun to worry and feel sick.

“She had been crying hysterically the night before,” said Ms Regan.

Fairclough was arrested in April, last year. He denies sexual activity with a child under 12, three charges of assault of a child by penetration and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Proceeding.