A FORMER school caretaker accused of repeatedly molesting a girl in a two-year campaign of abuse was working at a Darwen primary school part of the time, a jury heard.

Burnley Crown Court was told that divorced Graham Walsh, 34, worked at St Peter's CE School between February 2001 and November 2002.

He is said to have assaulted the girl - who was not a pupil at the school - in the "quiet and dark" car park behind Sainsbury's in the town and to have raped her in a separate 20-minute attack.

Walsh, say the Crown, groomed the child for his sexual gratification, committed indecent acts on her, and forced her to commit sex acts on him, between March 2000 and January 2003.

Walsh, who has also worked at a children's adventure holiday centre, is alleged by the prosecution to have been "preoccupied" with the complainant and to have treated her like an adult. He is accused of showering her with treats, to have controlled her physically, to have played mind games with her and to have plied her with drink.

The court has heard claims the defendant became more confident and clever as his "vile behaviour" with the child steadily got worse.

Walsh, who claims nothing ever happened, is said by the Crown to have "an affinity towards children" and to like being in their company.

He yesterday told the court how he had a panic attack, couldn't breathe and fell to the floor when the police confronted him with the girl's allegations about 12 months ago. He went on: "I was shell shocked.

"I couldn't believe what was going on. When I came away from the police station, it didn't seem like it was real."

The defendant, 34, of Melita Street, Darwen, pleads not guilty to rape and eight charges of indecent assault.

Giving evidence, Walsh, who was born in Darwen and has lived most of his life there, said he had a problem with his nerves and had been on medication for the past year.

He said he separated from his wife in 2000.

The defendant, who works part-time at Darwen pub "The Brit", was asked by his counsel Julie Taylor if he had carried out the various sex acts alleged. He replied: "Never" to them all.

He claimed he did not have intercourse with the alleged victim but alleged she told him she was sexually active.

The defendant is accused of starting the grooming process by "sexualising" conversations and to have told the girl what he got up to with former partners. Asked by Miss Taylor if that was true, he said: "Not all all. I have not had that many girlfriends." Cross-examined by Tim Brennand, prosecuting, Walsh agreed he "did not mind" being in the company of children.

Mr Brennand suggested some of the defendant's evidence was "clever invention" and claimed Walsh was trying to "paint the girl in a particular light".

The prosecutor alleged the defendant was trying to claim the complainant was sexually active to explain away the physical evidence of the doctor in the case.

Mr Brennand asked Walsh: "Did you find her attractive?"

The defendant: "No."

The prosecutor: "Did it cross your mind she was an attractive young girl?" Walsh: "Not really. She was always scruffy."

Mr Brennand suggested Walsh's behaviour towards the alleged victim started off innocently but developed into something more sinister and was linked to drink.

He went on: "You were preparing her for what you wanted to do with her. Bit by bit you tried it on."

The defendant answered: "No, not at all."

(Proceeding)