Serving policeman denies charges of sexually assaulting young child in Aylesbury
Police constable John Pritchard denies a number of charges relating to sexual offences against a child under the age of 13.
The court heard claims that Pritchard kissed the schoolgirl, forcing his tongue down her throat, and he also carried out a sex assault on her.
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An officer with the Metropolitan Police, he first met his victim when he was working as a private detective, having briefly left the force because of a back injury.
Prosecuter James Lofthouse told the court how the 45-year-old rejoined the force in September 2004 – midway through the 14-month period when the alleged abuse took place between May 2004 and August 31 2005 - and was based in Islington, north London.
Mr Lofthouse said the victim does not remember when the incident happened but did recall the details of the sexual assault.
A recorded interview with the victim was shown to the jury, demonstrating just how young and innocent she was at the time of the alleged offences.
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The girl said: “He made me touch him, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I felt quite silly a lot of the time.”
She also said that she thought he looked cool when he drove his Mistuibishi FT0 sports car or a motorbike and that he liked to watch a box-set of the Sean Bean historical drama Sharpe.
The jury sitting at Aylesbury Crown Court heard how the victim, now an adult, told her mother years later.
“I have a problem with guilt,” she added.
“I have a problem with anxiety because of guilt and I also feel like I have to be completely and utterly honest with people in everything I do.
“I feel like, just if I’m ever considered a bit dishonest I can’t live with the guilt I get from it.”
Pritchard, of Borden Lane, Sittingbourne, Kent, denies the charges. The trial continues.