A MAN accused of historical child sex offences told jurors he 'is no animal' and sexual activity only began when his alleged victim was 16.

Prosecutors at Oxford Crown Court claim that Mitchell Purvis regularly abused his child victim on numerous occasions during the 1980s in Didcot.

From the witness box the alleged victim - who cannot be named for legal reasons - told jurors earlier in the trial she thought the sex was 'normal' and she saw him as her 'boyfriend'.

Purvis, 54, of Kynaston Road, Didcot, denies eight counts alleging indecent assault, sexual intercourse with a child and buggery.

READ AGAIN: The opening of the case at Oxford Crown Court.

He was cleared of two counts of indecent assault today after jurors were directed to return not guilty verdicts on those counts.

As his trial continued Purvis took to the witness box for the first time to deny any wrong-doing.

Asked how he felt when the allegations came to light he said: "I don't think I can describe it.

"It is somebody who I would still see as a friend, I was absolutely bomb-shelled, devastated.

"I just could not believe my ears, this just can't be true."

When asked if he ever sexually assaulted her he answered: "No, I am not a paedophile.

"I don't like children in that respect."

Purvis went on to tell jurors that he did have sex with his alleged victim but only after she had turned 16.

READ AGAIN: Abused 'always blamed herself' sex trial of Mitchell Purvis hears at Oxford Crown Court.

He said that the sex was 'consensual' and repeated he had never had any sexual activity with her while she was a child.

Asked about another alleged incident in which it was claimed he performed a sex act on the alleged victim when she was older at a nightclub he said it never happened and told jurors: "I am not an animal."

He went on to say that the last time he saw her was at a pub in Didcot years after the alleged abuse.

Speaking of that incident he said that she appeared 'happy' and there was no animosity.

He denied assertions that she told him 'you know what you have done'.

During cross examination it was put to Purvis that his account was an 'invention' and that he had sexually abused her before she was 16, all assertions he denied.

Prosecutor Matthew Walsh put to him that Purvis had in fact a 'very high libido' to which he replied: "I don't think I was any different from anybody else."

Earlier in the trial the alleged victim recounted what she said happened to her during the alleged ordeal.

Detailing her claims she said there were multiple instances of abuse, including Purvis taking her to secluded areas near Didcot including the Ridgeway before she performed sex acts on him.

She described the instances as 'routine' and said she thought they were boyfriend and girlfriend throughout.

Purvis denies all the charges against him and the trial continues.