A POLICEMAN told a jury how he was indecently assaulted by his osteopath.

The officer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed Stephen Milward indecently touched him three times during the years he visited the Natural Therapy Clinic in Atherton.

The constable is one of a dozen men who have made similar allegations against Milward, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

Milward, aged 49, of Booth House, Bolton, denies 12 offences of indecently assaulting 12 male patients between 1990 and 2002.

The policeman said he began seeing Milward for treatment in 1986 because he was suffering from tingling in his fingers and shoulder following an accident, and had treatment which required the massage of a muscle which leads to the lower body.

He claimed that on "a few" occasions Milward indecently touched him which he was uncomfortable about, but he trusted him.

"I discussed what happened with my wife and said how strange and uncomfortable it was," he said.

Over the years, he suffered recurring injuries because of the original accident and saw Milward about 20 times.

Cross-examined by Michael Corkery, QC, defending, he agreed that in his statement to police he had stated Milward had indecently assaulted him three times between 1998 and 2002 and had not said "a few" times. He said his recollection was of three times.

Mr Cockery pointed out that the officer also told police he had been there about 20 times but his record showed it was 49 times and he suggested he was "wildly out" in his estimate.

"I would agree my estimate was out," he replied.

Proceeding