A WOMAN who was groped in her own home came forward to report it after her alleged attacker was charged with serious sexual offences, a court heard.

The girl, aged under 16 at the time of the alleged incident, says she was attacked as she sat on the sofa underneath a blanket with David Waller.

Waller is accused of fondling the girl's leg before sliding his hand under her top and groping her breast until he was disturbed by someone returning to her home.

The woman, who is one of eight of his alleged victims, told police that she had put the incident behind her but never believed that Waller would go on to carry out further attacks.

The 33-year-old is accused of carrying out a catalogue of abuse on teenage girls, including three charges of rape, over a 12-year period.

Teesside Crown Court heard that some of the allegations occurred whilst Waller served as a Cleveland Police officer between 2006 and 2010.

The witness said: “He put his hand up my top and put his hand inside my bra and he was fondling my breast. It was probably only for a few minutes.”

She added: “At the time, I wasn’t comfortable with what happened but I never saw myself as a victim and didn’t think he would go on to do what he was accused of.”

When asked during police interview why she hadn’t come forward earlier, she said: “It’s not like rape or grooming or anything like that, I didn’t think it was a massive thing but the more I thought about it - I thought that if someone spoke to me about what happened I would tell them to report it, so I did.”

Under cross examination from Nicholas Lumley, QC, the first complainant ‘absolutely’ denied that the allegation was made up following collusion with the second complainant.

When it was put to her that the incident never happened, she replied: “I have no reason to stand here in front of a jury and embarrass myself – it did happen and he knows it happened.”

When asked under re-examination by Matthew Bean, prosecuting, why she had eventually come forward after reading about Waller’s arrest. She replied: “I felt bad after reading the allegations, maybe if I had said something years ago, about what I experienced, then these other people may not have had their experiences.”

Waller, of Autumn Grove, Stockton, denies all charges which allegedly took place between December 2004 and April 2016.

Teesside Crown Court heard he met some of his alleged victims through his roles with Cleveland Police, as a flying instructor and various theatre groups between 2004 and 2016.

Among the 13 charges he is facing are three counts of rape against two young victims, which he denies.

Waller also denies three counts of inciting underage girls to engage in sexual activity, and three of meeting or attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. He has also pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child, and one of sexual assault, as well as a misconduct charge.

The trial continues.