A MAN has gone on trial accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a young girl for more than four years.

Bradley Antill, of Fulmar Place, Grove, near Wantage, has been charged with one count of rape, five counts of sexual assault and eight counts of indecency with a child.

The 46-year-old denies all the charges, which all relate to the same girl, and yesterday was the first day of his trial at Oxford Crown Court.

Rachel Drake, prosecuting, described to the jury the first time Antill allegedly touched his victim under her clothes and the conversation which followed. Miss Drake said the abuse escalated and at one point was happening almost every week.

She told the jury that his young victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was left “terrified” by Antill’s behaviour. Miss Drake said: “While the abuse was happening, she didn’t tell anyone about it.”

The barrister said it was not until 2011 that the girl went to the police.

The trial continues.