Model was 'fondled' by soap actor

A former soap actor "fondled" a model and asked her to have sex with him at a nightclub in Hull, a court has heard.

Lewis Linford, 22, who played Lee Naylor in Emmerdale, was charged with sexual assault after the incident at the Pozition club in December 2007.

The woman, who was 19 at the time, told Hull Crown Court that Mr Linford, of Swanland, Hull, put his hand up her dress as they queued in the club.

Mr Linford, being tried under his real name, Lewis Smales, denies the charges.

'Surprised and frightened'

The woman, who cannot be identified, told the court she had been chatting to Mr Linford and his friend as they queued at a cash point in the club.

She said Linford approached her from behind, touched her and said he wanted to have sex with her.

"I hadn't provoked anything to do that and I was surprised and I was frightened for my safety," she said.

The woman told the jury she pushed Mr Linford away, but when he grabbed her hand she punched him.

A scuffle ensued in which the woman punched him again and her friend poured a drink over him.

Defence lawyer Robert Smith QC said the woman was lying.

"I want to make it clear to you that I'm suggesting that you've made these allegations up," he said.

The trial continues.

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