A MAN touched a woman over her bikini bottoms after laying next to her in a sauna, a jury was told.

Mohammed Afiz Ali, 63, is accused of sexually assaulting the gym member after massaging her waist and trying to kiss her.

The incident is alleged to have happened as the blonde in her late 20s relaxed after working out at the gym in Boston.

Simon Rowe, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court: “The sauna is a fairly small room. Wearing her bikini she laid down on a bench and closed her eyes.

“After a few minutes Mr Ali came in. She lifted her legs up to let him pass. She was laying back when she felt something brushing against her left breast.

“She gave him the benefit of the doubt and there was even some polite conversation.

“Mr Ali's right arm then came down and across her stomach. She again gave him the benefit of the doubt. But it wasn’t the end of it.

“She became aware of him caressing her waist and hip. She opened her eyes and saw he had turned onto his side and was trying to kiss her.

“She hoped it would go no further, unfortunately he then moved his left hand and placed it near to her vagina. It did not penetrate her as she had bikini bottoms on.”

Ali of Paddock Grove, Boston, denied two charges of sexual assault on March 12 this year.

The trial continues.