A 58-year-old Suffolk man accused of raping a schoolgirl has denied being a paedophile and said he felt “disgusted” at the allegations.

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday was Christopher Whittleton of Highwood Road, Gazeley, in west Suffolk.

He has denied two offences of sexual intercourse with a child and two alternative charges of rape of a child dating back more than two decades.

He has also denied two further charges of rape.

Giving evidence Whittleton, who was arrested and interviewed by police about the allegations in 2018 denied being a paedophile, told the court there was no truth in the allegations against him, which he described as “disgusting”.

He said he could not think of any reason why the alleged victim would tell lies about him and said she had accepted lifts from him and had been alone in a car with him since the offences allegedly took place.

The trial continues.