Anthony Pickering trial: Coach's sex assaults 'left footballer feeling dirty'

Carlisle Crown Court was told the assaults took place over a four-year period

A former junior football coach sexually abused a young player over a four-year period and left his victim feeling "dirty", a court has heard.

Anthony Pickering, now 62, molested the boy "in a variety of ways" more than four decades ago, Carlisle Crown Court was told.

Mr Pickering, previously of Claife Avenue, Windermere, denies two charges alleging attempted serious sexual acts.

He also denies two charges of indecent assault.

The jury heard an incident in 2020 prompted the complainant to "sob his heart out" in front of relatives before making disclosures about his time at the football club where Mr Pickering coached.

During an interview with police, the man told officers he had been assaulted "on numerous occasions".

Asked how that had made him feel, he replied: "Dirty. I think then you didn't really understand it, what was going on."

Prosecutor Tim Evans said Mr Pickering had been "trusted by parents and others to behave appropriately" in his role as a coach.

The trial continues.