A ten-year-old boy was kissed in the toilets by a member of staff at Marks and Spencer in Watford, it was alleged yesterday.

The boy - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was followed into the toilets at the High Street store by 39-year-old Masumur Rashid who was working on the tills, St Albans crown court heard.

After he kissed the boy, Rashid gave him a £1 coin to buy chocolate, alleged prosecutor George Heimler.

The prosecutor said the boy knew Rashid from his name badge as he loaded his mother's shopping in the past.

On the day of the alleged sexual assault the boy and a younger brother had gone to the toilet in the store.

"The defendant went into the toilet put his arm around the boy, kissed him on the left cheek, said 'I love you' and asked him to kiss him. The boy did not and the defendant kissed him a second time. He gave him £1 to buy chocolate," said Mr Heimler.

The youngster told his mother when they got home and she contacted the store. Two managers spoke to Rashid and he allegedly admitted what happened and then fainted.

He told him it was a "silly mistake," said the prosecutor.

Police were called and Rashid was arrested. When questioned he said the allegations were not true and said he thought the boy was lost. The most he had done was to touch him on the shoulder, he said.

Rashid, of Parker Street, Watford pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting a child aged under 13 on September 10 last year.

The case continues.