A FORMER bingo caller inflicted “horrible and shameful” sexual abuse on a schoolgirl in the 1970s and 1980s, a court heard.

Edward Hill, who once stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate in local elections in Breightmet, denies four counts of sexual assault and four of raping the same girl between 1979 and 1986.

The assaults allegedly occured when the girl was aged between 11 and 13. The rapes were said to have happened when the girl was aged 13 to 17.

Bolton Crown Court heard that the victim, now in her 40s, alleges that the sexual assault and rape offences took place several times during the seven-year period.

Hill, of Exford Drive, Breightmet, used to be one of the main bingo callers at Mecca Bingo in Bolton, the court heard, and was commonly known by his middle name, Rae.

Jane Dagnall, prosecuting, told the trial the case related to systematic and historical abuse.

She said: “He did this by sexually abusing her, touching her intimately when she was aged 11 to 13 and raping her when she was aged 13 to 17.”

A jury of seven men and five women was told that the victim had described the abuse as “horrible, awkward and shameful”.

Miss Dagnall added: “She has told other people in her life.

“She told friends, her first husband, a psychologist and her second husband.”

The court was told that the matter was reported to police, who arrested Hill, aged 70, on June 10, last year.

The police later charged him with the offences.

The trial continues.