A TEENAGE girl confided to a school friend 30 years ago that she was being sexually abused by nightclub owner George Roberts, a jury at Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

The woman told the jury it was at the time television personality Esther Rantzen set up her Childline charity to encourage child sex abuse victims to come forward. The witness, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, said her friend was ashamed and embarrassed when she shared what had happened to her.

Roberts, 67, who used to run Crown Taxis and Rob Roy’s Nightclub in Keighley, denies 23 offences allegedly committed against three children in the 1970s and 1980s.

He has pleaded not guilty to 15 offences of indecency with a child, seven of indecent assault and a single offence of incitement to commit buggery.

Roberts, of Woodhouse Drive, Woodhouse, Keighley, denies any wrongdoing. He told the police his three accusers, a man and two women, could be hoping to claim compensation.

The trial continues.