Fleetwood man accused of raping four-year-old girl

Peter Coleman, 45, Beach Road, Fleetwood, is accused of committing a string of sexual attacks on a girl over a period between 2008 and 2013.

He is accused of five counts of rape of a child under 13, with the first relating to when the girl was four, and five of intentionally causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by touching him.

Prosecuting, Paul Brookwell said the girl had eventually confided in her father one evening in June 2018 when she came downstairs crying.

He added: "That was the first he became aware and so this was then reported to the police.

"She said she realised what had happened to her was wrong when she had sex education lessons at school, and decided to tell her dad.

"Mr Coleman was arrested in June 2018 and he was interviewed.

"He gave an account. He said yes he did know her very well.

"He denied he had committed any sexual offences. He admitted and agreed she had visited his house - he said he had on occasions bathed her at his house."

A video interview with the young complainant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was conducted at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital, and the footage was played to jurors at Preston Crown Court during the first day of Coleman's trial.

She told officers it became a regular event and that her parents were told she was going to his home to feed his pet.

She said: "I can't remember when it first happened or last happened, but I know it happened.

"I used to go around there all the time.

"It was just me and him."

She told officers he made her do things to "pleasure him" and would "show her" by performing acts on himself.

She added: "He'd just tell me what to do."

(proceeding)

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