A MAN accused of kidnapping and attempting to sexually assault a woman in a Bolton town centre churchyard denied he intended to rape her.

After his arrest Jonathan Kabala was questioned by police and a jury at Bolton Crown Court heard parts of his rambling two-hour interview during which he alleged the incident was "part of a game" and he had pushed her to the ground because "it's something you have to practice".

The court was also shown CCTV footage of Kabala "sauntering" around Bolton town centre before and after the incident at 7am on October 2 last year.

The jury has previously heard how the woman was on her way to work when Kabala ran up behind her and dragged her into the grounds of Bolton Parish Church, threatening her with a knife.

The woman at first thought she was being robbed and offered him money, but he refused and she told the court how he attempted to unbutton her trousers, telling her, "I want this".

Throughout her ordeal she fought back, hitting him in the face with her metal travel mug and grabbing his knife, throwing it out of his reach.

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When witness Caleb Kane who had heard the woman's screams, arrived on the scene and told Kabala to stop. the defendant calmly walked away.

During his police interview 41-year-old Kabala, of Chadwick Street, Bolton, admitted he had followed the woman and grabbed her, but denied his motives were sexual.

He repeatedly talked about mirrors, social media and being creative and told police that that he had carried out the "act" because people were calling him a girl.

"They believed I couldn't fight and put a girl down," he said.

Kabala denied he had mental health problems or had been prescribed medication.

He has pleaded not guilty to kidnap, kidnap with intent to commit a sexual act, threatening the woman with a knife and possessing a knife.

The trial continues.