A MAN appeared in court yesterday after a youngster wrote to a women's magazine to say she was being abused.

The 12-year-old girl submitted a story and a letter to Take a Break magazine saying she had been indecently assaulted by Mark Urwin, 36.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how magazine staff urged the girl to confide in someone which prompted her to tell her mother.

Euan Duff, prosecuting, told the court: "As is commonly the case, she kept it secret, kept it to herself for quite some time.

"She spoke to a friend about what happened and wrote to Take a Break submitting a story and letter about what had happened to her.

"Take a Break wrote back a well-worded, responsible letter saying that she should tell her mother about this, not keep things to herself, or even get in touch with Childline.

"Subsequent to that, she did speak to her mother."

Mr Urwin, of Chestnut Close in Jarrow, denies two specimen charges of indecent assault and the trial continues.