A man accused of being responsible for a sex attack on a Brighouse pensioner has told a jury he felt sick about the claim.
Leeds man Nigel Carroll is alleged to have attempted to rape the 70-year-old victim during a break-in last year, but yesterday his barrister accused one of his former associates of being the man responsible for the crime.
But Karl Jason Stead told the jury at Bradford Crown Court that he had never committed a burglary in his life and emphatically denied that he had carried out the serious sexual attack on the elderly occupant.
"How do you feel about that allegation being put to you?" asked prosecutor Kitty Taylor.
"It's upsetting. It makes me feel sick," replied Mr Stead, who has some previous convictions for dishonesty, but no record for burglary or sexual offending.
Mr Stead insisted that if he had known Carroll was burgling homes he would not have had anything to do with him.
The prosecution has alleged that Carroll, of Wykebeck Avenuen, Osmondthorpe, Leeds, had a peculiar sexual interest in ladies tights and they featured in the burglaries at the pensioner's home and two other break-ins in Birkenshaw and Leeds.
Carroll, 53, has admitted being involved in the burglary at the elderly woman's property, but has denied related offences of attempted rape and sexual assault.
He also denies burgling the houses in Birkenhshaw and Leeds.
At the start of the trial the jury watched a video recorded police interview with the pensioner shortly after the sex attack.
The woman died earlier this year as a result of an unrelated fall.
The trial continues.
