A Salvation Army member has denied having sex with a teenage girl or behaving inappropriately with her in any way.

Carl Shelton is alleged to have taught the girl about sex before eventually having full intercourse with her.

The married 44-year-old, of Thong Lane, Gravesend, said the girl on one occasion made comments which he believed were to “entice” him.

He told Maidstone Crown Court he saw her with her top undone and asked her to do her buttons up.

Shelton said he was born in Gravesend and attended St George’s Church of England School. He left with 11 CSE passes and after obtaining a diploma worked with computers.

He said he was fifth generation Salvation Army and played the cornet in the band. He, his father and brother all taught others musical instruments.

Questioned by Simon Wickens, defending, Shelton answered “never” when asked if he ever kissed the girl, even in a platonic way.

He gave similar answers when asked if he had sent the girl sexually explicit texts or showed her pornography.

Shelton denies four charges of indecent assault, two of sexual activity with a child and one of indecency with a child.

The trial continues.