A girl aged four was raped in a park and indecently assaulted at a public swimming pool, a court heard, write Adam Jankiewicz and Rebecca Smith.

Mark Butler, 31, of Withycombe Drive, Banbury, Oxon, denies one charge of rape and one charge of indecent assault between January 1, 1994, and June 3, 1995, Oxford Crown Court heard.

The girl, now ten years old, kept the alleged attack secret until telling her mother earlier this year.

Nigel Daly, prosecuting, said the alleged indecent assault was carried out in the changing rooms at the Spiceball Park complex in Banbury, between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1994.

The girl also alleged that she also was raped by Butler in People's Park, Banbury.

Giving evidence by video link she told the court that "the nasty man" had led her into a church-like building one evening and attacked her.

Under cross-examination by Jan Hayne, defending, the girl said the alleged indecent assault in the swimming pool changing room was "terrible and wrong".

Asked why she had waited five years before revealing the attacks, she said: "I was scared my mum would have told me off and smacked me."

Butler told the court: "It is complete rubbish I haven't done anything."

The defence claims the girl made up the allegations because her mother had threatened to put her into foster care for misbehaving.

In her closing argument, Ms Hayne told the jury: "It is a threat that you may think would have a very active effect on the mind of a child.

"The lies have worked she is with her mother and her mother is being nice to her."

The jury was expected to return a verdict today.