A KEEN gardener objected so strongly to girls playing in a former railway cutting he lifted one as though he was about to throw her off a bridge, a jury heard.

Robin Frieze, prosecuting, alleged that Alan Wilson considered the bit of disused land by a bridge next to his home as his and had planted saplings there.

When three girls went there on Saturday, October 15 last year, he confronted them, grabbed one by the arm and lifted her by the back of her trousers on to the bridge.

"He pulled her up as if to throw her over the parapet," said Mr Frieze.

A neighbour came out of her house, told Wilson he was "bullying" the girls and he let go of the 12-year-old girl.

Shaken, the girls went home and told their parents.

Wilson, 68, of West Lund Lane, Kirbymoorside, denies affray and assault.

At the start of the trial, Mr Frieze told the jury at York Crown Court that there was some doubt as to whether the land did belong to Wilson.

One of the 12-year-old victim's friends told the jury through a television link that she and the 12-year-old had been on the land on Wednesday, October 12, and Wilson had threatened to call the police if he saw them there again.

But on the Saturday, they went to show a third girl the land.

The girl alleged that Wilson accused them of "terrorising" him and asked if they thought it was "funny".

She alleged that she told Wilson she was responsible for the Wednesday incident, and asked him to let her friend go.

Interviewed by police, Wilson said he had not dragged the girl to his home.

He denied holding her tightly or lifting her by the back of her trousers.

He admitted he had been shouting, but denied being aggressive and claimed he was justified in his actions because the girls were trespassing.

The trial continues.