Trainee gardner abused by 'good friend'

Mr Cornish was gardener for Carlton Westcountry TV

A television gardener indecently assaulted a young man in the conservatory of his TV garden, a court has heard.

Giving evidence at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday, the man, who has not been named, said Dennis Cornish indecently assaulted him "whenever he had an opportunity".

The man said he had initially looked upon the gardener as a very good friend but that over a period of time Mr Cornish had interfered with him.

Mr Cornish, 60, who was the resident gardener for Carlton Westcountry TV, denies seven charges of indecent assault against four boys between 2000 and 2001.

Back massage

The jury has been told that Mr Cornish, of Broad Path, Stoke Gabriel, Devon, has admitted three indecent assaults on a boy scout between 1965 and 1968.

At the time he was a scout leader.

On Wednesday, the young man said he had been sent to the Four Cross garden centre near Torbay, Devon, on a council run training course for people with learning difficulties.

He told the court that Mr Cornish, who owns the garden centre, massaged his back on the floor of the conservatory and indecently assaulted him.

When asked by the prosecution why he did not do anything about it, the young man said Mr Cornish had control over him.

The trial continues.