A 25-YEAR-OLD Dursley man has gone on trial today accused of subjecting a five-year-old boy to sex offences including rape.

Thomas Griffiths, of Phillimore Road, has denied all four charges.

Prosecutor Lynne Matthews told the jury of nine men and three women that the boy had made a complaint against Griffiths on August 28 last year.

The youngster claimed he had been assaulted twice by Griffiths.

The police were contacted, said Mrs Matthews, and the child was interviewed "delicately".

Mrs Matthews said a doctor had examined the boy afterwards and found evidence that the Crown believed supported the allegation that there had been anal penetration.

On August 30 last year, the jury heard, Griffiths was arrested and vehemently denied the allegations.

He dismissed some of what the boy said as "silly" and insisted it should be taken with a "pinch of salt".

Griffiths denied two counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13 between July 6, 2007 and August 28, 2007.

He also denied a charge of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity in a non-penetrative nature between the same dates.

He also pleaded not guilty to a fourth charge that he raped a child under 13 between July 6 last year and August 28, 2007.

The trial continues.