A LEIGH magistrate accused of putting his hand up a 14-year-old schoolgirl's skirt has protested his innocence in court.

Francis Walsh, repeatedly said he had never fondled the teenager's thigh or tried to kiss her as he drove her home.

The 63-year-old, of Hollins Road, Hindley Green, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault at Warrington Crown Court.

The respected JP told the court it was the teenage girl who had made the advances towards him as he drove her down Bickershaw Lane, close to Leigh, one afternoon in April 1998.

Michael Chambers, prosecuting, asked Walsh if he had twice stopped in his car and tried to kiss the girl and rub his hand up and down her leg.

The defendant said: "I did not make any sexual advances in the car.

"I pulled over to tell her off about her manner. She had moved her legs towards me and was saying 'I love you' and 'What will you bring me back from your holiday' and 'I'll miss you'.

"I pushed her away and said no. I was worried it might lead to future kissing which I did not feel was appropriate in the car."

Walsh, a chairman of the bench and a chairman of the governors for a primary school, admitted that every morning when he took the dog for a walk he gave the girl a kiss on the lips as she waited for a school bus.

He also admitted he had sent her a Valentine's card as a joke, although he originally denied doing so when interviewed by police.

The jury at Warrington also heard from Walsh's wife of 37 years, Winifred, his son Anthony and other friends who described him as a caring, trustworthy man.

The jury was due to retire today to consider its verdict.