A YOUNG girl tightly clutched a pink teddy while giving evidence against a man accused of sexually abusing children.

The 10-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, explained to Bolton Crown Court yesterday why she had not reported Malcolm Hicks’ alleged behaviour.

She said: “I didn’t tell my teacher that he did anything dirty because she couldn’t do anything about what he had done so I just didn’t tell her.”

She said she had not talked about the case to any of the girls involved since Hicks was arrested, and reiterated that she was telling the truth to the court.

She said Hicks had given her and several other girls some gel, which he said was used by pregnant women to put on their stomachs.

She said: “He put the gel on his private parts as well. I forgot to tell the person (police) when I was interviewed.

“I haven’t talked about it with my friends since. I just forgot to tell them in the interview.”

The girl, who was nine at the time the offences are alleged to have taken place, said the friends were allowed to watch horror films at Hicks’ home, but she did not like them so would go back home until they had finished.

The charges relate to a 10-year-old girl, two 11-year-olds and a 13-year-old girl. All the offences are said to have taken place during the school holidays or at weekends in summer of last year.

The girl said Hicks told one of the girls he loved her on another occasion bec-ause “he was being nice”.

He admits girls were allowed to stay at his home but denies they were abu-sed.

Crompton Health Centre caretaker Hicks, aged 50, of Hengist Street, Tonge Fold, denies seven counts of sexually assaulting children, attempted assault of a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of sexual activity with a child and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

The case continues.