A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl was twice molested in Stonehouse by Paul Bennett, of Oldbury on Severn, it was alleged at Gloucester Crown Court today.

Mr Bennett, 50, of Corner Farm, Oldbury, is accused of touching the girl as she slept at a bungalow she was visiting in Stonehouse on the night of April 19 this year - and also on an earlier occasion sometime last year.

He has denied two charges of sexually touching the girl.

Prosecutor Tara Wolfe said that on each of the two occasions the girl was spending the night in the Stonehouse property where Mr Bennett was also staying at that time.

On April 19 she was using a sleeping bag on the sofa in the living room of the property when Mr Bennett arrived and molested her, claimed Ms Wolfe.

She told a woman relative who lived at the address of the alleged assault the next day and her mother was then informed and called the police.

When interviewed the girl said there had been an earlier similar assault by Mr Bennett when she was staying at the address overnight one day last year.

Mr Bennett was arrested and told police that when he entered the house late on the night of April 19 the girl was still awake and looking at her tablet as well as watching TV.

He said he gave her a kiss and cuddle and tickled her on her chest, stomach, legs and feet but did not do anything indecent.

"He said nothing improper happened on that occasion or on any previous occasion," added Ms Wolfe.

The trial continues.