A MAN has denied raping and indecently assaulting a girl over a three-year period.
Tony Bethell, aged 39, is alleged to have started indecently assaulting the girl when she was 12 and continued until she was 14.
Bethell is alleged to have offered her a cannabis joint shortly before he allegedly indecently assaulted her. He is also alleged to have shown the girl a pornographic film before they had sex for the last time.
He allegedly raped her on three occasions over a three-year period and allegedly indecently assaulted her at a Bolton address between August 1993 and August 1994.
Bethell appeared at Bolton Crown Court to stand trial.
When arrested and interviewed, Bethell denied anything had happened and said the allegations were untrue. He denied six charges, three alleging he raped a girl three times and three indecent assaults.
Prosecutor Roger Green said the girl only told her best friend what had happened and swore her to secrecy. When she reached 20, she decided she wanted to tell the police what had happened.
(Proceeding)
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