A Barnet policeman told the Old Bailey this week how he arrested a colleague for sexually assaulting a schoolgirl after discovering him in the street with his pants down.

Sergeant Andrew Nicholson yesterday said he found off-duty PC Paul Miller, 36, with his trousers down and his underpants showing after residents in Wilberforce Road, Hendon, had reported hearing the 17-year-old girl's screams.

"We attempted to handcuff him," said Sgt Nicholson. "He was struggling. We told him to stop but he did not comply."

Miller, who was serving with the North Finchley-based Territorial Support Group, was dragged out of the bushes by four officers.

He denies indecent assault and attempting to rape the GCSE student in February last year and told police that the girl undid his jeans.

Miller allegedly drank ten pints of beer before attacking the girl. Resident Sean O'Donovan told the court on Friday how he heard 'primal or guttural' screaming in bushes outside his house and called the police.

He said: "I heard her being attacked by a man. I could hear her saying 'No, no' all the time."

PC Miller denies the charges. A previous trial had to be abandoned when the jury could not reach a verdict. The case continues.

July 18, 2002 09:30