A senior Cambridge University academic accused of groping a 24-year-old former student over gin and tonics in his room told jurors today that his accuser was "lying" and had "driven a flirtation".
Peter Hutchinson, 61, vice-master of Trinity Hall College, Cambridge, told Cambridge crown court that he was "flabbergasted" at being accused of sexual assault and "could not understand her reaction at all".
Dr Hutchinson, director of studies in modern and medieval languages at the college, said he had twice patted the woman's bottom on previous occasions and she had not objected.
Jurors heard how he and the woman, now a police officer, had stayed in contact over a lengthy period after she left Cambridge and met occasionally.
He had sent her an email telling her that "blondes with a certain eye colour" made him go "weak at the knees".
Dr Hutchinson said she gave the impression that she was "flattered".
Christopher Morgan, prosecuting, asked Hutchinson: "Who was driving this flirtation?"
Dr Hutchinson, who denies sexual assault, replied: "In retrospect I fear it was [her]."
Mr Morgan challenged his claim, pointing out: "We don't see any texts saying: 'I go weak at the knees over 60-year-old men with ginger beards', do we?"
The woman told jurors how she had met Dr Hutchinson in his college rooms last October, prior to having dinner with a friend.
She said he "groped" her buttock while making a "pervy Benny Hill-style" noise after pouring her gin and tonic, then twice tried to kiss her mouth.
But she told the court that Hutchinson had never touched her bottom before - although they had exchanged pecks on the cheek.
Dr Hutchinson said he had no recollection of touching the woman's buttock during the October meeting. He said he had "stroked her hair".
And he said he had twice patted the woman's bottom after previous meetings - and she had not objected.
Asked why the woman denied any previous pats on the bottom, he replied: "I am sorry to say she was lying."
Dr Hutchinson, who told jurors that he had been married for 37 years and that his son was a policeman, said he enjoyed flirting with the woman, was flattered by her attention and was anticipating patting her bottom again - but had no intention of seducing her.
"I did find her attractive," he told the court. "I think that physically she was attractive and as a person I warmed to her." But he went on: "I don't think I would have wanted to truly sexualise the relationship.
"I enjoyed flirting with her. She enjoyed flirting with me. But I would not have wanted to take it to a higher level...
"I didn't, as the police supposed, want to seduce her."
The trial has been adjourned to Monday.