A MAN alleged to have sexually abused a six-year-old girl said he saw and spoke to her, but denied committing any assault.

Steven Strong, aged 40, of Longcauseway, Farnworth, is alleged to have beckoned the child into the house where he had his flat.

But he told Bolton Crown Court yesterday that he was innocent.

He denies taking a child without lawful authority in May last year and sexual assault.

Strong said he did see the girl and spoke to her, but said he did not touch her.

"She came into the hallway and I asked her what she was doing and she said she wasn't allowed in," Strong said. "I went upstairs to my flat where I stayed for up to an hour."

The court has heard that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been playing on her bicycle near the rear of the house, which had been divided into flats.

Nicola Gatto, prosecuting, said Strong encouraged the child to come to him, then dragged her into the house and on to the main stairwell where the assault took place.

The court heard that following the alleged incident, the child's behaviour changed.

Her teacher said in a statement to police: "She was a bubbly little girl and she worked hard.

"Her mother asked me to keep an eye on her in May and she was a bit subdued and there were two occasions when she acted abnormally."

The chid's uncle, who was called to the house after the alleged incident, said: "I arrived at the house and I cannot describe in words the state my niece was in. She was hysterical."

The trial continues.