A POOLE teaching support worker has refuted allegations he abused two boys while employed at different schools.

Repeatedly, in answer to defence barrister Michael Hall, Graham Gilmour replied "absolutely not" if there was any truth to the allegations.

The case against the 43-year-old rests on the testimony of two boys who claimed they were victims of historic sexual abuse while attending Greggs School in Southampton and Chandlers Ford-based Lakeside School, a special education unit catering for children with behavioural problems.

Jurors have heard how Gilmour began helping one boy at Greggs after he began being bullied. The boy learnt Gilmour was gay and as a result sent Gilmour a text mesage, saying he thought that he too, might be homosexual.

Prosecutor Robert Bryant told Southampton Crown Court that Gilmour asked the boy to talk to him about it.

He claimed things between the pair developed, with them kissing in the library and Gilmour later performing indecent acts not only in the same room but also in his father's house when he went there to give extra lessons.

Jurors have heard Gilmour remained at the school for about two months but later got a job at Lakeside School where he allegedly began abusing a second boy, initially after a maths class.

Other acts are said to have taken place in his car and in a spare building at the school before he was asked to leave.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, Gilmour, of Junction Road, Poole, denied 24 charges of sexual abuse at the start of his trial.

Yesterday, a 25th similar charge was added at the close of the prosecution's case, to which he also pleaded not guilty.

After taking the oath in the witness box, Gilmour was immediately asked by Mr Hall about the charges.

"The allegations of a sexual nature you are accused of. 'Did you do them?"

Gilmour replied: "No, not possible. I couldn't ever consider doing things like that. It is not in my thinking. I couldn't think along those lines."

Gilmour, who has said he is homosexual, told jurors he did not want to be judged on his sexuality.

At times, he was almost overcome with emotion as he constantly rejected suggestions he had abused either boy.

Asked whether there was any truth about one charge surrounding the child at Greggs, he told Mr Hall: "I couldn't consider doing anything like that. I cared about the boy. I would have done anything to protect him from harm."

In relation to another, he replied: "I found it hard to comprehend how people do these things to kids. It didn't happen."

Proceeding.