A THIRTEEN-year-old girl tried to inject herself with vodka before a former Herefordshire detective sexually assaulted her, a jury heard today.

The teenager attempted to use needles stolen from Hereford County Hospital on the night she claims Geoffrey Alan Gough put his hand down her underwear.

A 17-year-old told Gloucester Crown Court today her friend was playing with the contents of a stolen paramedic's bag and a bottle of alcohol shortly before Gough gave the pair a lift from Commercial Road.

She said a conversation started with the 55-year-old outside Hereford Gold before he drove the teenagers to the Tesco store in Belmont.

During the journey, the 17-year-old claimed Gough placed his hand on her younger friend's lap.

She said Gough gave her £10 to buy lager at Tesco, but she quickly returned to the car with a group of men as she was concerned for her younger friend who was now kissing the former detective.

Gough, a serving police officer at the time of the alleged offences in April last year, drove away alone when the group approached the car, the court was told.

Gough, of Spring Gardens, Malvern, denies sexual activity with a 13-year-old and attempted kidnap The trial, which is expected to conclude on Friday, was adjourned at 12.45pm when the power supply was lost at Gloucester Crown Court.