A HAMPSHIRE man has denied a series of sex attacks against young girls, including an attempted rape.

David Elkins, 60, is one of three brothers in court over abuse in Winchester, mostly dating back to the 1970s and late ‘60s.

Anthony Elkins, 69, is charged with an act of gross indecency with a child while Michael Elkins, 62, is accused of sexually assaulting her as an adult in the 2000s.

David Elkins, of Battery Hill, Stanmore, denied charges regarding his first alleged victim at the opening of the defence at Winchester Crown Court. The court heard she was aged 12 at the start of the abuse.

Giving evidence in a white shirt and cream-coloured trousers, the grandfather-of-four was He was asked whether he committed each offence, replying to each: “No, I did not.”

He is also accused of attacks against two other girls, including an attempted rape against a girl aged between 10 and 12.

The alleged victims cannot be named for legal reasons.

The jury heard how David Elkins, a former pupil at Montgomery of Alamein School, worked for Controlled Heating Unit in Kings Worthy at the time of the charges involving the first girl. He was himself 15 when the alleged abuse began, the court heard.

Robert Bryan, defending Mr Elkins, told jurors that the accusations date back 45 years, the same time between the Wright brothers’ first flight and the Second World War.

He said: “In 45 years man has gone from being able to fly a glider to creating flying machines and nuclear weapons. That’s 45 years, the entire period that you’re dealing with now. It’s not yesterday, is it? It’s a significant period of time.

“It was not until 2013 that he was first accused of these allegations, so 43 years later he was first being asked to think back. Think how that has affected his ability to respond to the allegations.

"He may not be able to be specific.”

He added that the alleged victim had opportunities to raise the alarm to police, including a visit from an officer, but failed to do so.

The defence of Anthony Elkins, of St Catherine’s Road, Highcliffe, and Michael Elkins, of Fleming Road, Harestock, is expected to start this week. The three deny all charges.

A fourth brother, Stewart Elkins, was due to face trial but died in August.

The trial continues.