A FORMER Bolton entertainer accused of repeatedly indecently assaulting a teenage boy could not have committed the crime as he was impotent, a court heard.

Geoffrey Axford, of Fordham Grove, and Norman Vernon, of Kirkwall Drive, The Haulgh, formerly known as comedy duo the Vernon Brothers, each deny four counts of indecent assault on the boy when he was aged 14 and 15 in the 1980s.

Andrew Nuttall, defending Axford, now aged 76, told Bolton Crown Court the defendant has been impotent and unable to have sex since the 1980s.

He also said Axford was “out of the country from 1982 to 1984”– the period in which the victim claims the assaults were said to have been carried out.

The jury was earlier told how the teenager had met Kenneth Platt at Fernstead flats in the early 1980s.

The alleged victim, who claims he was “passed around like a rent boy” by seven men, including the Vernon Brothers, while living in Washacre Children’s Home, disputed the claim of impotency.

He said: “He is in denial, he is not telling the truth”.

Mr Nuttall said: “Does me telling you that not shake your evidence and recollection of these events?

“No,” replied the alleged victim.

Phillip Andrews, defending Norman Vernon, said: “Is there anything that you can point to, anything that supports your assertions as to when Norman was involved? He doesn’t fit in at all.”

The victim said: “He does fit in, they were both abusing me in that time.”

The court heard how the victim, who is now in his late 40s, would be picked up near Moor Lane bus station by Axford, who would then drive him back to his home in Darcy Lever.

The victim told the court that he would either “walk or get the bus” to meet Vernon, who was introduced to him by Axford, as they lived at the same address.

He was then paid for carrying out sexual acts.

Mr Andrews said: “These accusations are nothing more than a pack of lies aren’t they?”

The alleged victim replied: “No they are very much true”.

The trial continues.