A MAN accused of historic sexual abuse against a child has denied the allegations.

John Allen, 36, allegedly touched the infant inappropriately several times but he has claimed the complainant has fabricated the attacks.

Teesside Crown Court heard the alleged victim "wanted to die to stop the pain" and only realised they had been a victim of child abuse during a self help class several years later.

The complainant said they finally shared the details of the alleged abuse because they didn’t want Allen to prey on anyone else.

Paul Reid, prosecuting, said: “They were attending a self help group and at a particular session a video was shown about child abuse. When it came on they burst into tears and ran out. They said they had been touched inappropriately as a child.

“They said on several occasions as a child the defendant came behind them, picked them up and sat them down on his knee before touching them. They described feeling a stabbing pain going up their stomach and when they asked why he was doing it, he didn’t answer.”

During a video police interview shown to the jury, the complainant said: “Because it had happened to me, I couldn’t handle the fact it was being shown right in front of me. I felt there was so much holding me back from telling someone about what happened.

“I felt I had to do something about it before it happened to someone else. It was so wrong, it made me feel disgusting.

“I thought it would be best if I just died because it hurt to go through the pain.”

They added that they tried to get away but he told them to "shut up".

But the court heard Allen has never been sexually attracted to children and believes the complainant has fabricated the allegations against him.

Allen, of Morton Street, Hartlepool, denied the three counts of sexual activity with a child.

The trial continues.