A JEHOVAH’S Witness accused of five indecent assaults has strongly denied the allegations against him.

David Burridge, also known as Martin, is alleged to have committed four offences against a young girl between 1975 and 1983 and one against a male child between 1999 and 2001.

But when details of the alleged offences were outlined in court yesterday and Burridge was asked: “Did you do that?” he replied “No, I did not.”

And when questioned about allegations made by the female complainant he said: “That is a lie.”

Giving evidence, Burridge said he got involved with Jehovah’s Witnesses in the late 1970s and used to go to the Kingdom Hall in Kinson.

The 62-year-old, of Station Road in Alderholt, is alleged to have told the girl he was giving her a “special cuddle” as he abused her.

A jury at Bournemouth Crown Court heard the alleged victim only realised what was happening when she was taught sex education at school.

Prosecutor Matthew Farmer said she took an overdose in 2012 before she “finally told her family what had happened”.

Giving evidence against Burridge, the alleged victim added: “I didn’t know at the time that there was anything wrong with why he was cuddling me – it wasn’t until I was a lot older that I realised it was all very, very wrong.”

Burridge has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

The trial continues.