A Salvation Army minister raped a schoolgirl who turned to him for support, a jury has been told.

It is alleged that Stephen Wilkes, wearing his uniform, stripped the 13-year-old of her school clothes and had sex with her after she visited his home during a lunch break.

Wilkes, 45, is accused of assaulting the teenager 16 years ago when he was a lieutenant in the Salvation Army in Crawley.

He has denied a charge of rape and two of indecent assault.

The alleged victim, now 30 and living outside Sussex, told Hove Crown Court she felt ashamed, guilty and confused.

She said it was only last year, after she had confided in her elder sister, that she informed the Salvation Army's headquarters and the police were called in.

The woman described how she turned to Wilkes for support in 1987 as she was having problems at home because of her parents' marriage.

At first, she said, she was flattered by his attention when he kissed her after giving her a lift home. But she said she was shocked when sexual activity began.

She said she was talking to Wilkes on the sofa in his living room when he took her by the hand and led her to the bedroom.

She said after sexual contact he told her he loved her. She returned to visit him again a week later and said sexual intercourse took place.

Three hours later, she said Wilkes telephoned her at home and made an obscene phone call. She said she followed his instructions although she was crying.

Later she confided in her best friend and the two went to confront Wilkes about his behaviour.

The woman told the jury Wilkes suggested they all pray together for forgiveness. There was no further sexual contact.

She told the court she did what Wilkes told her because he was a member of the church.

She said: "In my eyes he was a trustworthy person, a genuine all-round nice, friendly man. I was 13, a little girl.

"The boys at school would show interest but never a grown man. I was flattered a grown man showed interest.

"I don't know why I didn't say anything. I partially blamed myself. I knew what was happening was wrong and I wanted it to stop."

A few months later he told her not to tell anyone what had happened.

She said she spoke to her sister last year about what had happened, adding: "I told her everything. She told me he had raped her about the same time. We decided to do something about it."

The court heard Wilkes had denied the allegations and maintains he was never alone with the alleged victim at the time.

He suggested to police the woman had a crush on him when she was young and had made the accusations because of misguided jealousy.

The court heard no criminal charges had been bought in connection with the accusation by the woman's sister.

The trial continues.