Girl ‘locked in room for sex act’

4:07pm Thursday 26th April 2007

A SCHOOLGIRL was locked in a house at midnight and molested by a man who had taken drugs and given her drink, a jury was told.

Craig Morrison, 36, was said to have played a pornographic film in front of the 14-year-old and two younger girls, stroked and fondled her and stripped half naked as she tried to fight him off.

He then removed more of her clothing and committed sex acts on her, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Morrison, of Cromer Avenue, Burnley, denies indecent assault and false imprisonment, said to have occurred in July 2000.

Gerald Baxter, prosecuting, told the jury that Morrison, who had earlier been out with his wife, gave the three girls cans of beer.

The 14-year-old didn't have much to drink, but the other two girls, aged 12 and 13, had at least two or three cans each and were getting quite drunk, the court was told.

Morrison produced a tablet, saying it was an E' - which the court heard was presumably an ecstasy pill - took it and started to play a pornographic video, Mr Baxter said.

He gave the girls more beer and started making suggestions to the alleged victim, asking her to take her top off and making lewd remarks, the jury was told.

Mr Baxter said the defendant sat next to the 14-year-old, asked her for a kiss and stroked and fondled her.

The jury was told he was then said to have removed some of her clothing.

She didn't want to do what he was suggesting and tried to fend him off, but Morrison kissed the schoolgirl, the court heard.

The prosecutor said one of the younger girls then started to be sick and she and the other girl went outside, leaving the 14-year-old alone with the defendant.

Morrison locked the door, told the girl to turn the light off, removed some of her clothes and started to perform an indecent act on her.

Mr Baxter said the two other girls then started to bang on the door, telling Morrison to let them in. The three schoolgirls left and a complaint was made to police.

Mr Baxter said Morrison said he had been made aware of the allegations against him shortly after the complaint was made.

He denies the claims. He told police he had never taken an ecstasy tablet and did not touch the child indecently in any way, the court was told.

(Proceeding)