A Wilburton man accused of sexually assaulting three schoolgirls has dismissed the allegations as “pure madness and fantasy”.

Giving evidence during his trial at Ipswich Crown Court, Stephen Grant denied having any sexual interest in the girls, who regularly visited his former home in Hodson Close, Bury St Edmunds, in the 1990s.

Grant, 60, who now lives at Stretham Road, Wilburton, told the court he had suffered a mental breakdown and liked the company of children because they didn’t judge him in the same way that adults might have.

“I found them entertaining and they found me entertaining,” said Grant.

He denied sexually assaulting any the three alleged victims and described the allegations as “pure madness and fantasy”.

He denied giving one of the girls between £20 and £30 for performing an alleged sex act on him and said the only money he gave them was 20-30p to buy sweets.

He also denied threatening one of the alleged victims by saying she would get into trouble and be taken away if she told anyone what had allegedly happened between them.

Cross-examined by prosecution counsel Stephen Rose he denied taking advantage of the girls for his own sexual gratification and that he was the one telling lies to the jury and not them.

Grant has denied ten offences of indecent assault and three of indecency with a child in respect of one of the alleged victim’s between1995 and 1999 when she was aged between eight and 12 and one offence of indecent assault in relation to another girl between 1989 and 1991 when she was six or seven.

Grant has also denied attempted rape, indecency with a child and two offences of indecent assault on a third alleged victim between 1990 and 1996 when she was aged between five and ten.

Last week Judge John Devaux directed the jury to find Grant not guilty of three offences of indecent assault in respect of one of the girls.

Opening the case to the jury Mr Rose said Grant lived alone and young children living in the area near him in Bury St Edmunds knew his door was always open and treats were on offer.

Following his arrest Grant denied the allegations.

The trial continues.