A PENSIONER has denied sexually assaulting two sisters more than 30 years ago.

Jane Hunt

A PENSIONER has denied sexually assaulting two sisters more than 30 years ago.

John Suttle, who is now 77, allegedly kissed the older sister on her mouth shortly before her 12th birthday and then allegedly progressed over a three-year period to touching her indecently over and under her clothing, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Noel Casey, prosecuting, alleged that the indecent assaults took place “whenever the opportunity presented itself” at the alleged victim's home or at Suttle's home at Glemsford.

He said the victim, who is now aged in her 40s, had not known how to deal with the alleged situation. “It may be that she developed feelings for him and may have been somewhat confused,” said Mr Casey.

He said the alleged indecency in respect of the older sister stopped when she was 14.

Mr Casey alleged that Suttle had kissed the younger sister and put his tongue in her mouth at a barbecue when she was 13 and she had pushed him away.

He claimed that on one occasion the younger girl had allegedly seen her naked sister sitting astride Suttle in his lounge.

The court heard that when Suttle was arrested in 2008 he chose to make no comment to questions put to him by police.

Suttle, of Skates Hill, Glemsford, has denied seven offences of indecent assault and two of indecency with a child in respect of the older sister dating back to 1977.

He has denied one offence of indecent assault in relation to the other sister.

Cross-examined by defence counsel Stephen Dyble, the older sister admitted that Suttle had done some work at her flat when she was 18 and had attended her 21st birthday party. She also accepted that he had driven her wedding car.

The trial continues today.