Love, promises, sex and betrayal

AN Oldham businessman cynically groomed a vulnerable young girl to satisfy his sexual lust, a trial jury has been told.

Family man Clive Royales flattered the vulnerable youngster, filling her head with ideas that they had a romantic future together.

Manchester Crown Court heard that the 48 year old, who at the time ran a local engineering firm, told the 12 year old he would whisk her off to Greece, where they would live an idyllic life on a boat.

Kathryn Johnson, prosecuting, said the Crown’s case was that his aim had been to exploit and abuse the child — which he did over at least two years.

She said Royales had full unprotected sex up to three times a week with the victim. Once he had sex with her on his office desk at the premises of Saw-Tech, off Brown Street, which he then ran. On other occasions he had sex with her in his car after driving out to remote countryside locations.

In a recorded interview with police played to jury members, the girl - now an adult - admitted: “I was in love with him. I feel so stupid now that I ever believed him.”

Royales, of Badgers Rake, Oldham Road, Springhead, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of having sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 and two counts of sexual assault against the same child.

The jury was told Royales, who was 32 when he turned his attention on the girl, had sex with her at every opportunity, and had given her a mobile phone so he could keep in constant touch.

The court was told how he constantly told her how much trouble he would be in if anyone ever found out, warning her against ever speaking to anyone of their relationship.

For years his victim kept quiet, but two years ago felt compelled to tell a boyfriend and family member, and the police became involved.

(Proceeding)