A HANDYMAN accused of raping a schoolgirl and sexually abusing her friend told a jury he "definitely" did not do it.

Alfred "Fred" Scott said he had been in shock and distraught when the allegations were made against him and felt like he had been "hit with a sledgehammer."

Scott, 50, told Burnley Crown Court: "It's a terrible thing to have said about you especially when I had not done anything. It was like a bolt out of the blue"

The defendant said after his arrest last October he had been put in a police cell and did not sleep or eat.

Scott, who, the court had been told, declined to answer police questions after his solicitor read a statement to officers, went on: "On reflection it shouldn't have been no comment. It should have been no way."

The defendant, of Musbury Crescent, Rawtenstall, denies one charge of rape and six of indecent assault, said to have taken place between March and June last year.

The jury has heard prosecution claims Scott invited the two 12 year olds into his hut in Haslingden, told them he had lots of sweets and abused them.

He is said to have kissed one girl on the lips a few times, cuddled her and touched her neck and breasts. Scott is also alleged to have committed a sex act on her and done a similar thing to her friend.

Giving evidence, Scott, born and raised in Haslingden, and formerly of Victoria Street in the town, said he had no convictions for sex offences although he had been in trouble with the police a long time ago.

He said the hut, which was actually a wagon back, was on land adjoining his late market trader brother's home at Carr Mill Street, Haslingden. He had kept his tools in it with his late brother's possessions and would sometimes go there to open the door and air it.

He told the jury his brother had taken his own life and he had found him. His death had had a profound effect on him.

Scott said he had had trouble with local youths who had broken windows in the area, thrown stones, drank and smoked and used cheek and bad language.

He said his unit there had been "trashed," and he had told the gang, which sometimes included the alleged victims, he was going to get the police. The youngsters had replied they would get the police on him as well.

The defendant, questioned by his barrister Anthony Cross, said he did not indecently assault either of the girls and did not rape the girl who claimed he had.

He said he had not given the girls sweets and had "definitely not," asked them into his unit.

Scott, who said he kept himself to himself, told how he was walking with his girlfriend eating fish and chips when he was arrested. He said :"I had threatened to knock their blocks off and thought it might have been about some sort of problem down at the unit."

The defendant said he had been shocked and distraught when he learned of the girls' claims against him. He went on: "I have never been the same since."

Rape claim was 'bolt out of blue'