A KARATE instructor has taken the stand and vehemently denied sexual assault and sexual abuse charges against two teenage girls.

Darren Lymer, of Anson Close, Marcham, near Abingdon, denies two counts of having sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual assault.

He is alleged to have committed the first two offences in January last year on two teenagers.

The 50-year-old told Oxford Crown Court the accusations were “disgusting” and claimed both girls had lied about what happened.

Lymer, a fourth dan black belt and former paratrooper, is accused of groping the younger girl on two occassions on the same day.

It is also alleged he groped the older girl when they were alone.

Giving evidence Det Con Thomas Smalley told the court no DNA evidence had been found on the younger girl’s clothing.

Lymer’s barrister Jonathan Coode asked him if he committed the offences, to which Lymer answered: “Of course I did not.”

Mr Coode asked him about the interaction he had with the younger girl. He said: “How did it develop, what was said?”

Lymer said: “She said she had been into my village and past my house in Marcham and asked which one [house] I lived in. I asked why she wanted to know that and she said she wanted to see me.

“I avoided that and asked her about what presents she got for Christmas.”

Mr Coode asked: “What did you think talking to her like that displayed?”

Lymer said: “I don’t know why she wanted to know. I have my wife, I didn’t want somebody coming round there like that.”

Lymer admitted he put his arm round the girl in a gesture of greeting but he said it was not in a sexual way.

During cross examination, prosecutor Iain Wicks asked him why he mentioned his wife during the conversation.

Mr Wicks said: “I am suggesting you saying “I have my wife” you were taking the conversation with her as a sexual opportunity.”

Lymer said: “Don’t talk rubbish. Please don’t talk rubbish.”

The trial continues.

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