A TEENAGER accused of sex attacks on a woman at a pub in Abberley told police she used to have "a crush" on him, a jury heard.

Matthew Todhunter claimed the woman's marriage floundered over the affair - and she was now levelling the blame at him.

It is alleged that he followed the woman to a smoking area outside the Manor Arms, put his hand down her trousers and up her top and then tried to get her to carry out a sex act on him.

A young girl also claimed that he put his hand down her bra on the same night after jumping onto her back in a field near the pub.

Todhunter, aged 18, formerly of Abberley but now living in Hensford Road, Heath Hayes, Cannock, denies the attempted rape of the woman and two counts of sexual assault on her.

He has also pleaded not guilty at Worcester Crown Court to sexual assault on the girl.

The defendant's police interviews were read to the jury in which Todhunter said he drank beer before going to the pub on March 3 last year where he consumed cider.

He insisted he was never alone with the woman in the smoking area but was with his brother and a friend every time he went outside.

He said he liked the woman but didn't fancy her and later got a message from her which falsely accused him of trying to kiss her in the smoking area.

Todhunter claimed they had had sex twice around Christmas time 2011, once after a party at the complainant's home. But she had not wanted any further sexual contact.

He dismissed an attack on the girl, saying he had walked home with his brother.

The jury heard that the woman sent an email to a married male friend - which contained a photograph of a scratch on her right breast - for safe keeping. She claimed the injury came from the attack.

The man said she was reluctant at first to go to the police. "It's a small village and rumours are rife at times," he explained.

The trial continues.