Jurors told Dean Adlem from Hungerford allegedly groped young girl

A GIRL has told jurors how she pleaded ‘stop’ as a man groped her while she lay in bed.

The child told in graphic detail that she was abused as she struggled to pull her nightie down to cover her private parts.

In the dock at Reading Crown Court today, Wednesday, was 44-year-old Dean Adlem, who was living at Priory Road in Hungerford and allegedly had access to the complainant.

Mr Adlem, who has worked for the Canal and River Trust, denies two counts of sexually assaulting the pre-teen in her own home.

Mike Hollis, prosecuting, said police were called after the complainant told her parents next day what had happened.

Giving evidence in a consequent police interview, the child said Mr Adlem had come into the the room in which she was sleeping and got into bed beside her.

He had then sexually assaulted her, the jury of eight men and four women were told.

Meanwhile there was drama later in the day after it emerged that a detective investigating the case had altered the alleged victim’s testimony.

The trial is expected to concluded early next week, or before.

For a fuller report of today’s proceedings, including the child’s evidence and the officer’s grilling by the defence barrister, check back in with Newburytoday tomorrow morning.