A GIRL was allegedly the victim of a sex attack as she walked home from school, a court heard.

She had missed the regular school bus and had had to take a service bus because she had been kept in school in detention, prosecutor Peter Heyward told Newport crown court.

Jonathan Swift, 19, of Cardiff Road, Newport, denies a charge of sexual activity with a child.

Mr Heyward said that Swift who sat opposite the girl, who is under 15, on a bus in Cwmbran and had a conversation, specifically asking her how old she was.

She got off after having refused a suggestion by Swift to get off at the stop before.

"They crossed the road together and she went along a path near allotments followed by Swift," Mr Heyward said.

Swift is alleged to have grabbed her by the arm, pulled her into an alley, kissed her, made indecent suggestions and touched her indecently.

The girl was very distressed by the incident but luckily her mobile phone came on and she was able to run home.

She reported what had happened and Swift was arrested the following day.

He claimed there had been consensual kissing but nothing else.

That day the girl went to the doctor and was treated for bruising to a forearm.

Proceeding