A MAN has gone on trial accused of sexually assaulting and “poisoning” a teenage girl by giving her diazepam.

Jamie Gardiner, of Colwell Road, Berinsfield, denies one count of administering a noxious or poisonous substance with intent and two counts of indecent assault.

The 31-year-old father-of-two is alleged to have struck the same girl between December 2011 and April 2012.

Justine Davidge, prosecuting, told a jury in Oxford Crown Court yesterday that the sexual assault complaints only came to light after the alleged poisoning was reported to police.

She said Gardiner forced the teenager to take about six 10g tablets of diazepam – a class-C drug prescribed for anxiety and sleeplessness – during the evening of April 13.

Miss Davidge said the next evening the girl was still drowsy and fell down a flight of stairs. She said: “The probability being his actions in doing so were linked to his sexual interest.”

Gardiner has admitted possessing the class-C drug but denies giving it to the complainant.

The police interview with the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was played to the jury yesterday. The trial continues.