A TEENAGE girl tried to kill herself, fearing she may be pregnant after allegedly being raped by a soldier, a court heard.

A jury at Bolton Crown Court was told how the 14-year-old girl had met a soldier, she thought was aged 19 and called Robert, at a Westhoughton youth club in the summer of 1994.

But at their second meeting he is said to have taken her to unoccupied building near Cricketers Way, sexually assaulted and raped her.

In a video interview with police in 2012 the alleged victim, now a grown woman, told how two weeks after the attack she had tried to kill herself and was taken to see a psychiatrist.

“I just thought there was no way out so I took an overdose and went up to Horwich golf course to die,” she said.

The woman said she told no one about the rape for 18 years until she had counselling sessions and decided to contact police.

Officers eventually traced former soldier Robert Stewart, believing he was the person responsible.

Nicholas Clarke, prosecuting, said that, when questioned, Stewart accepted that he had grown up in Westhoughton and gone to the youth club.

But he claimed he stopped attending after he joined the army aged 16 and denied ever meeting the victim.

However Mr Clarke told the jury there was “compelling” evidence to the contrary.

The girl was said to have met Stewart sometime between July and September 1994 and she stated in interview that she had been flattered when he asked her out.

She said a week later they met again at the youth club and she agreed to go for a walk with him and some others.

The jury heard the soldier stopped at a shop to buy alcohol and they went to a partially built unlocked building near what is now Cricketers Way.

“I thought we would just be kissing and holding hands,” said the girl.

“Once we got in there his whole manner changed. He started shouting and being aggressive and told me to get against the wall.”

The court heard the girl was sexually assaulted and raped but afterwards, outside the building, his attitude towards her changed again.

“He was asking what kind of music I liked — he was just normal and calm,” she said.

She said she went home, hid her clothing in the wardrobe and told no one.

“I was worried I would be in trouble for drinking,” she said.

“I was worried about everyone talking about me and bringing shame on my family and being called a slag.

“I just thought this must be what love is like.”

Stewart, aged 39, of Sunnygarth, Westhoughton, denies rape and sexual assault.

The trial continues.