A jury has been told that a Wiltshire pensioner tried to rape a young girl after repeatedly sexually abusing her.

Christopher Tiley, 67, a father of two grown-up children, of Grasmere, Melksham, denies two counts of attempted rape and 13 of sexual activity with a child in Devizes and is on trial at Swindon Crown Court.

Charles Thomas, prosecuting, today told a jury of five men and seven women that the first incident took place in 2008 in Devizes when he was saying goodbye to a girl of under 16 and tried to kiss her with his tongue.

Although she told her mother what had happened it was regarded as an accident.

A younger girl said he started to touch her improperly a couple of years later, eventually attempting to have sex with her.

Mr Thomas said Tiley had told her he was unable to get aroused for medical reasons and, after his arrest, inquiries with his doctor revealed he was receiving treatment.

The jury was told that the younger girl had called Childline and finally told her family what had happened in January last year.

When he was questioned by police Tiley denied all of the allegations, saying the incidents had not taken place.

The case continues.