A man has been accused of indecently assaulting a four-year-old girl sitting next to him on a flight home from a Spanish holiday island.
Roger Bowles, of Millers Rise, Hailsham, denies indecently assaulting the child on a Britannia Airways flight from Ibiza to Gatwick in July last year.
He also denies inciting her to commit an act of gross indecency.
The attack allegedly happened as Bowles and the girl were sitting next to each other on the Boeing 767, Lewes Crown Court heard.
Richard Cherrill, prosecuting, said: "Here was a man sitting next to a young girl who was seeking, for his own gratification and sexual pleasure, both to touch her indecently and to try to get her to touch him."
Two other passengers, who were sitting behind Bowles, and an air stewardess were concerned about his behaviour.
When the plane landed at Gatwick, the police were alerted and the passengers were kept on board until Bowles was detained.
When interviewed by police, he denied committing any indecent behaviour.
The trial continues.
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