A man has been found guilty of attempting to entice a schoolgirl into his home for sexual motives after standing at his door holding a knife.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 15-year-old was walking past Samuel Culver's house in Tunbridge Wells in January last year when she saw him at a window looking out.

A jury was told Culver, 23, shouted at her to "come here" while standing with his trouser zip undone and the knife in his hand. His trousers were also partially lowered.

Brian Reece, prosecuting, said the victim - in a state of panic - walked towards him, but managed to call a friend on her mobile phone. The incident was recorded when the call went straight to voicemail.

Culver, of Brook Road, denied attempted child abduction and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence, but was convicted of both charges.

Sentencing was adjourned for reports until February 12 and Culver was released on bail.

Mr Reece said after shouting at the girl, Culver went to his front door holding the knife. "His flies were open and his trousers were partially lowered," he added.

"his flies were open and his trousers were partially lowered…” – prosecutor brian reece

"It would have been sensible, wouldn't it, for her to simply ignore that person and walk off, or run away? But 15-year-old children do not always behave sensibly, especially in a state of panic.

"Her reaction on seeing that knife was to cause her to panic. What she did was obviously unwise - to walk into the garden towards him.

"As she did that, he said 'Come here' with the knife pointed at her. He indicated to go through the alley to the back of the house. She did that."

As luck would have it, said the prosecutor, the girl had a mobile phone and she called a friend. It went straight to voicemail and was recorded, providing a soundtrack to what was happening.

The girl saw that the man was wearing blue boxer shorts. He told her: "Come in, this will only take five minutes."

"She refused," said Mr Reece. "At that point she came to her senses and ran. As she ran, she heard him say: "I am sorry."

She went to a friend's house and was described as being "a quivering wreck".

The girl could be heard saying on the recorded message: "I was told not to go into a stranger's house. I am shaking. I am terrified. Just let me go to school. How do I know you are not going to lock the door? You don't hold a knife up to the window."

Mr Reece said when arrested by police, Culver was wearing blue boxer shorts. He denied all knowledge of the incident.