A FORMER lap dancing club manager denies “cruising” round in his car trying to pick up young girls.

Lewis John Lamb is alleged to have pulled up at roadsides in County Durham villages trying to lure girls into his new Volkswagen Passat using the pretence that he was seeking directions.

Durham Crown Court heard that he was trying to engage them in conversation to get them into his car.

The court was told the alleged offences took place when his heavily pregnant wife was just weeks from giving birth to their child.

Mr Lamb, 39, at the time manager of Diamonds gentlemen’s club in Newcastle, persuaded a 13-year-old girl to get into the car, on June 30, last year.

The court heard during the short journey he gave her a false name, Danny Lee White, told her he was a 24-year-old IT technician, tried to kiss her and put his hand on her leg.

She got out and left, later reporting what took place to a teacher.

Two days later a 12-year-old girl was approached in another village by Mr Lamb, again asking for directions.

As she walked on Lamb is said to have twice driven alongside trying to engage her in conversation, before fleeing at speed when she told him she lived nearby.

Police were informed and several days later rang a mobile phone number given by Mr Lamb to the first girl.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said he answered, claiming to be Danny Lee White, but when told it was the police who wanted to speak to him, he threw the phone away at a fast food restaurant in his native Essex.

He was arrested after returning to his home in Ramsay Street, Tursdale, near Durham.

Mr Lamb, now trainee district manager for an amusement company, denies child abduction and attempted child abduction, plus sexual activity with a child.

Giving evidence he claimed the first girl approached him and got into the car.

He said he believed she was 17 or 18. When she told him she was 14 he said he did all he could to get her out of the car, but told the court she kissed him.

Having initially denied the second approach took place, the court heard he was picked out by the girl at a video identity parade.

Mr Lamb now claims he was merely asking the girl for directions.

The trial continues tomorrow (Thursday May 23).