6:24pm Tuesday 19th February 2002
A BAKERY proprietor from Bushey who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old shop attendant was caught after the victim's mother read her diary, the Old Bailey heard on Monday, February 18.
The woman discovered the journal in her daughter's bedroom. It gave "explicit details" of sexual encounters between the teenager and her boss Bruce Bennett.
When confronted about the diary, the schoolgirl, who worked behind the counter at one of the 51-year-old's bakeries, said she was pressured into the sexual activity.
It is alleged Bennett, who owns shops in Middlesex, molested the girl on four different occasions.
The sex attacks, which ranged from groping to performing oral sex, took place at the shop, in the toilets and in the car park, jurors heard.
Bennett, of Wyatt Close, Elstree, Bushey Heath, sent text messages to the girl's mobile phone, but always told her to delete the messages.
He employed the girl to work on Saturdays and some evenings after she finished school, the court heard.
Mr James Dawson, prosecuting, said: "He started to make comments to her of a sexual nature, and for that matter to other staff, but in her case matters went a lot further.
"The sexual activity came to light when the girl's mother discovered she was keeping a diary.
"She read the diary which gave explicit descriptions of sexual activity between the defendant and her."
One diary entry detailed how in the bakery toilet cubicles her boss "came in and kissed her on the neck and touched her breasts under her bra".
There were three further entries which included details of oral sex and groping, jurors heard.
The girl was interviewed by police and she admitted incidents had taken place.
Mr Dawson said: "She said she felt pressured into becoming involved with the defendant, although she accepted she had not said 'no' when it started."
She told police that Bennett always wore a distinctive pair of Next underpants which police later discovered at his home, jurors heard.
When quizzed, the defendant denied the sexual assaults and claimed she was "in love" with him, but that he never took advantage of her infatuation.
When confronted with the pants evidence Bennett claimed she had walked in on him while on the toilet and must have seen his underwear.
Bennett denies four charges of indecent assault.
The trial continues.
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