AN elderly man has denied breaching the terms of his sexual harm prevention order by speaking to a schoolgirl on a bus.

John Drury, 93, was given the order in 2011 after police became concerned about his behaviour when he was released from a prison term.

The terms state he is not allowed to speak to children under 16-years-old unless their parent or guardian is aware he is the subject of an order.

Colchester Magistrates' Court heard Drury allegedly spoke to a 14-year-old girl at a bus stop in High Street, Colchester, in February.

He is then alleged to have continued to chat to her as the journey started quizzing her about which school she attended, whether she wanted a sweet or whether she had a boyfriend.

Drury, of Mersea Road, Colchester, is then said to have told her he would want to be her boyfriend if he was in her year at school.

During the short hearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court, Drury struggled to hear what was being said.

District judge John Woollard declined jurisdiction of the case.

A plea and trial preparation hearing will be held at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 23.

Drury was granted bail, but must remain inside his home between 2pm and 4pm every weekday.