A 78-YEAR-old man is standing trial over allegations of historic sexual abuse against a boy.

Gary Moscrop, of Hendon Street, Brighton, denies seven counts of sexually abusing the child who was aged between seven and thirteen at the time.

He has admitted two counts of indecency with a child, one between March 1979 and March 1983 and the other between March 1982 and March 1985.

But he denies four further counts of indecency with a child, two counts of indecent assault, and one count of buggery, between 1979 and 1985, in Sussex.

His one alleged victim, whose identity is protected by law, told jurors at Hove Crown Court yesterday (Monday) that Mr Moscrop also sometimes gave him alcohol disguised as soft drinks when he was aged 11 and 12, leaving him feeling “giddy” and “sick.”

The court heard the alleged victim first gave a statement to police about a small part of the alleged abuse in 1987.

The allegation did not go to court at the time due to his mother’s concerns, but Mr Moscrop was cautioned.

Prosecuting, Jennifer Gray said: “He was at that time still only 15 and his mother decided it would not be appropriate for him to do so, so the matter was never actually taken to court.”

The alleged victim told jurors: “It was a big decision for me to make, having suffered with the flashbacks and having to cope with what I had been through.

“I had to make sure that I was prepared to actually stand up and speak to people.”

The trial continues.