Man denies sex attack on girls

A WOMAN who claimed she was indecently assaulted more than 20 years ago by a senior member of the Jehovah's Witness Congregation in Ipswich has described how he removed her socks and sucked her toes.

The woman told a jury at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday that John Pickrell had caressed her feet and then kissed them all over.

"It was a few kisses and putting my toes into his mouth," said the woman who was aged about 10 at the time.

She said the incident had happened at Pickrell's former home in Tuddenham Avenue, Ipswich while his baby son was in the room.

She also claimed that Pickrell had indecently touched her genital area while giving her a piggyback during a visit to the seaside.

She also claimed he had touched her indecently in a wooded area behind the library in Sherrington Road, Ipswich.

Pickrell, 48, of Cedarcroft Road, Ipswich has denied four offences of indecently assaulting the woman and three further offences in respect of another alleged victim.

John Butcher, prosecuting, has alleged that at the time of the offences Pickrell was a senior member of the Jehovah's Witnesses Congregations in Cavendish Street and Westbourne, Ipswich.

He said that in relation to the second alleged victim Pickrell had kissed her, licked her hair and kissed her feet and toes, while she was aged between 11 and 13.

After his arrest Pickrell denied acting indecently towards the girls but admitted kissing one of them on the lips on one occasion and tickling her bottom while giving her a piggyback but claimed it had been an innocent display of affection.

The second girl told the court that when she was about 12 she had a conversation with Pickrell about feet and had told him he wouldn't like her feet because she had big toes.

He had allegedly replied: "I'm sure I would. Let's have a look."

He had then allegedly removed her shoe and had covered her foot in "lots of little kisses".

The trial continues.