A BASINGSTOKE man sexually abused a boy while playing hide and seek and told his victim not to say anything as it was “our secret”, it has been claimed in court.

David Morison Barker, 69, is on trial at Salisbury Crown Court accused of abusing three children in the 1970s and 1980s in South Ham and Popley.

The 69-year-old, who moved away from the town and now lives in Lancashire, is accused of allegedly telling one of the victims that the abuse was “preparing” them to be an adult, adding, “It’s our secret”.

On day two of the trial today, an alleged victim claimed Mr Barker grabbed her hand and forced her to touch him sexually.

She told the court Mr Barker sexually assaulted her before placing his penis in her hands.

In a police interview, the woman told officers she was left feeling “upset” and “dirty” by the ordeal.

Cross-examining the witness, Sharon Watson, defending, questioned why the woman hadn’t told police she was on her knees or her eyes were closed when she reported the offence.

Ms Watson said: “Have you just made this up? If that is accurate and truthful, why didn’t you say it to the police? I am going to put it to you that you were not sexually assaulted.”

The alleged victim said: “I didn’t want to think about it, I suppose. It’s not something I would make up.”

In another incident against a different alleged victim, Mr Barker was allegedly playing a game of hide and seek when he abused a boy.

The complainant told the court that when he and the defendant, who has since moved to Lancashire, went to hide in storage space underneath a bed, he whispered to him: “This is what is preparing you to be an adult male, it’s our secret.”

He added that Mr Barker then touched him sexually.

Mr Barker denies all charges. The trial continues.