This is Bristol --THE father of a girl allegedly given a sexually transmitted disease when she was abused by a Bristol police officer also had the infection, a court has heard.
Avon and Somerset police constable James Williams is on trial, accused of molesting the three-year-old. He denies a charge of sexual assault by penetration of a girl aged under 13.
The jury has been told that, after telling her mother her private parts had been "hurt" by the 28-year-old, who is currently suspended from his job as a response officer at Trinity Road police station, tests revealed the girl had contracted chlamydia, which is normally transmitted sexually and can cause infertility.
On the second day of evidence yesterday, the jury at Bournemouth Crown Court heard from the girl's father, who cannot be named to protect his daughter's anonymity.
He told the court that about ten months before the allegations against Williams arose, he went to Bristol Eye Hospital after an accident at work. He was diagnosed with conjunctivitis and given eye drops but they did not cure the problem.
A few weeks later, it was discovered that tests on swabs taken at the eye hospital had revealed he had a strain of chlamydia, which was treated by antibiotics. The jury was told that around the same time, his daughter also had a weepy eye and was taken by her mum to a GP.
The court jury has previously heard allegations about the father's care of his daughter. It was claimed the youngster had said he once "tickled her down below" and that he, his partner and daughter all got in bed naked together.
When these claims were put to him by Williams' barrister David Hughes yesterday, the father said they were all untrue and that he had not even been told of the allegations, other than when a social worker brought up sleeping arrangements.
He told the jury: "I was very angry because I was getting accused of something I didn't (do)."
Earlier in the day, the court heard from the girl's nursery teacher. She and other staff had recorded "sexualised" behaviour from the youngster towards other children in the year after allegations about Williams were first made.
The case continues. Reported by This is 3 hours ago.