KIND, caring and honest.These were the words a 19-year-old woman used about alleged sex attacker John Pickrell.Holly Limmer, told Ipswich Crown Court she had known senior Jehovah's Witness Pickrell all her life and had sometimes stayed at his Cedarcroft Road home in Ipswich.

KIND, caring and honest.

These were the words a 19-year-old woman used about alleged sex attacker John Pickrell.

Holly Limmer, told Ipswich Crown Court she had known senior Jehovah's Witness Pickrell all her life and had sometimes stayed at his Cedarcroft Road home in Ipswich.

She said: "I have never felt uncomfortable around him. He is a kind, caring and honest man. He would greet me with hugs and kisses but he has never acted inappropriately towards me."

Holly's father Jim and mother Karen, all Jehovah Witnesses, gave evidence defending Pickrell's character.

The court heard that Mr & Mrs Limmer had known Pickrell for more than 20 years and their two daughters aged 19 an 12 had known him since birth.

Mr Limmer said Pickrell was a 'good friend' who was 'generous and warm'.

Mrs Limmer said the two families had shared holidays and "I have absolutely no concerns about my daughters and John Pickrell."

Pickrell, 48, has denied four offences of indecently assaulting a woman about 20 years ago, and three further offences in respect of another alleged victim.

One of the women accused Pickrell of sexually assaulting her when she was 10-years-old. She said: "It was a few kisses and putting my toes into his mouth."

She claimed he had indecently touched her genital area while giving her a piggyback during a visit to the seaside and touched her indecently in a wooded area behind the library in Sherrington Road, Ipswich.

Pickrell admitted kissing one of the alleged victims on the lips, and tickling her bottom while giving her a piggyback but said it had been an innocent display of affection.

The trial continues.