A BUSINESSMAN made sexual advances towards a “timid” young woman because he wanted to get away with inappropriate behaviour, a court has heard.Nicholas Bounit, of Hobson Cottages, Peasenhall, near Saxmundham, sexually touched a woman in her 20s, without her consent, on two occasions last summer, a jury at Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Danielle Nuttall

A BUSINESSMAN made sexual advances towards a “timid” young woman because he wanted to get away with inappropriate behaviour, a court has heard.

Nicholas Bounit, of Hobson Cottages, Peasenhall, near Saxmundham, sexually touched a woman in her 20s, without her consent, on two occasions last summer, a jury at Ipswich Crown Court was told.

On one occasion, Bounit touched and stroked the woman's legs to her mid-thigh and tried to kiss her before making various sexual comments to her, it was alleged.

The court heard on another occasion, the defendant allegedly ran his hands up and down her legs before pulling down her top and exposing her left breast while attempting to kiss her.

Bounit, 44, denies two charges of sexual assault alleged to have occurred on July 28 and August 2 last year.

Joanne Eley, prosecuting, told the court the alleged victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was aged in her 20s and had noticed the defendant paying an interest in her.

“He started to make comments and comments like he would like to show her a good time,” she told the court.

Miss Eley said on July 20, the defendant had visited the woman's home with wine, beer and pizza.

“Mr Bounit asked if they could go upstairs together. She refused as the terms of her rental accommodation did not permit her to allow anyone upstairs,” she said.

“In due course she had to go upstairs and Mr Bounit followed her and tried to kiss her.”

Miss Eley said the incident did not result in a charge against Bounit but showed his intentions towards her.

The court heard on July 28 last year, Bounit allegedly began to touch and stroke the woman's legs up to her mid-thigh area and asked her whether she was “horny”.

Miss Eley said the woman made her excuses and left.

But she said on August 2, Bounit began rubbing his hands up and down her legs again, and asked her how often she shaved her legs.

Miss Eley said the defendant tried to kiss her again before pulling down her top.

“The prosecution say this is a man of 44 years of age who was making inappropriate sexual advances to a younger and more timid young lady and perhaps wanted to get away with that inappropriate behaviour,” Miss Eley added.

Giving evidence behind a special screen yesterday, the alleged victim described herself as shy, timid and quiet and said she was “scared” and “uncomfortable” when Bounit made his alleged advances.

Answering questions about the first alleged sexual assault, the woman said: “He tried to kiss me. He just kept coming at me with his face. I kept pushing him away by his chest.”

The trial continues.