A trusted vicar deliberately broke church rules to grope a ten-year-old boy, a court heard yesterday.

The Reverend George Glover, known as Father Eddie, broke strict guidelines of the church by inviting the youngster into his home while he was alone.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the youngster had called to visit the vicar and his wife, Maria, after school on April 12, last year.

Guidelines for vicars and a number of other professions, which have contact with children, say that adults should not be alone with children and should never invite children into their homes.

Penny Moreland, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Glover's wife had not been at home.

She said: "The prosecution say he broke those rules deliberately and took advantage of the situation in order to indecently assault the boy."

The court heard that the ten-year-old had spent time playing with the family dog and watching tv before the vicar pulled him on to his knee.

The vicar was then alleged to have indecently assaulted the terrified youngster before he ran off home.

Miss Moreland said: "The boy said he was frightened by what was happening and did not know what was going to happen next.

"He saw it was 4.30pm and said 'I've got to go for my tea' and ran away from the house.

"When he got home his mother said she immediately thought he was behaving differently. He had nothing to say, was silent and would not go out to play.

"Later that night, he told his mother what had happened. She was very upset and did not tell his father for fear of what he might do."

The court heard that the boy's mother complained to the authorities the next morning and Mr Glover was arrested.

He accepted that the boy had been in the house for about an hour, but denies touching him indecently.

Mr Glover, of St Chad's Anglican Parish, Bensham, Gateshead, denies one charge of indecent assault.

The trial continues.