A MAN told a jury he had felt ‘obliged’ to take part in underage sex with a former British Airways pilot after being given gifts and money.

Bartle Frere, 50, from Shipton Gorge, is on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court charged with 25 child sex offences including indecently assaulting two boys in West Dorset and arranging the abuse of boys in India when he visited the country as part of his job with the airline.

He has denied all the charges.

The court yesterday heard evidence in relation to allegations against Frere made by one of the two boys from West Dorset.

The complainant, now 25, alleged he was indecently assaulted by Frere when he was aged between 12 and 14 at Frere’s home and at Eggardon Hill in Bridport, between April 30, 2001, and January 2003.

In a recorded interview with police that was shown to the jury, the alleged victim said the abuse started after he completed chores at Frere’s house, such as washing his car or mowing his lawn.

The jury heard the two had sexual contact “at least 10 to 15” times in a two-year period over the next two years.

On one occasion, Frere and the boy watched an explicit movie before the boy was blindfolded with a rugby sock and sexually assaulted, the court heard.

On another occasion Frere allegedly drove him to Eggardon Hill at night to go for a walk under the stars, before he was again sexually assaulted.

In a video interview with police shown to the jury, the man said he felt ‘obliged’ to take part and initiate the acts because Frere “had been so nice” to him, and because he would be given money and expensive gifts by Frere.

He said: “When he went away with work, he used to bring me back loads of clothes, like fake designer jeans and sunglasses.

“He was nice to me, that’s what I told myself.

“Two or three times I initiated it because I felt obliged to and I knew if I did I would get money. He told me it would ruin his life if I told anyone and I didn’t want to do that so I didn’t until the police asked me.”

During cross examination, defence barrister David Fisher QC accused the man of “living in a fantasy world” and that he was “motivated by revenge” after he and Frere had consensual sex when the man was 20, and not when he alleges.

Mr Fisher then said Frere told the man he didn’t want to be in a relationship with him, which led to the alleged victim making the allegations. The man denied this.

The case continues.