A 66-year-old man has denied charges of indecency against two schoolgirls more than three decades ago.

Kenneth Steele allegedly indecently exposed himself to the girls and persuaded them to touch him indecently when living in Sudbury in the 1970s, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Steele, now of Dilbridge Road East, Colchester, has denied indecency with a child and indecent assault on a girl aged six or seven and two offences of indecency with a child in relation to a seven-year-old girl. The offences are alleged to have taken place between 1976-78.

Michael Gowen, prosecuting, told the court that both girls were using a toilet at Steele’s house when he allegedly committed the offences. He allegedly gave one of the girls a cherry-flavoured drink after persuading her to touch him indecently and the other girl was given sweets, said Mr Gowen.

The offences were reported to the police last year and were “totally denied” by Steele.

Mr Gowen said that Steele told officers he could not remember one of the girls at all and he had never been alone in the house with the other child. The case continues.