A Watford schoolteacher accused of groping the woman sitting next to him at a theatre told a jury today: “I can’t remember touching anyone’s leg”.

Inner London Crown Court was told that Charles Maxwell, 53, of Exeter Close, Watford had downed a bottle of wine during the interval despite also taking anti-depressants at the time.

He has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman during a performance of ‘Amadeus’ at the Olivier Theatre on London’s South Bank on November 5 last year.

Maxwell, who taught English at the Jewish Yavneh College, Borehamwood, until he left earlier this year, also fiddled with his trousers, which were hanging off him when he stood up the jury was told.

In evidence Maxwell said: “I was probably moving my trousers because the button way cutting into my stomach. For someone of my size I’m forever adjusting my posture in the seat.”

He told the jury he reluctantly agreed to join work colleagues at the performance when encouraged to socialise after his wife left him.

“I did not want to go but I buckled under the pressure,” Maxwell, who was said to have returned from the interval with a large glass of wine in each hand, said.

He said the wine was “to knock myself out,” and insisted that he did not recall repeatedly touching the thigh of the “slim, attractive lady” to his right.

“Maybe I was asleep and it was an involuntary action. I did not know who was sitting beside me, did not have a clue until she came into court, I had not seen her,” he told the jury.

“I don’t think this lady would lie, I don’t dispute that. I just don’t recall it at all.

“I don’t have any recollection of putting my hand on any woman’s leg, but I don’t dispute it happened.”

When asked if his trousers were hanging off because he was getting “excited sexually” Maxwell replied: “That’s impossible. My body doesn’t react in that way anymore.”

On top of the alcohol and medication the teacher said he also just discovered his estranged wife had been rushed to hospital, explaining his abusive reaction to being accused in the theatre.

“I snapped, sorry. They verbally accused me and I was trying to fight my corner,” he said.

“It was the worst time of my life. I thought my wife was dying.”

He apologised for his conduct towards the complainant and her friends and for shouting: “Get that f***ing c*** here.”

“I had no idea why they were screaming in my face and in my heightened emotional state I hope people understand that I was angered,” he told the jury.

His estranged wife told the jury the couple enjoyed theatre trips when they were together, with Maxwell holding her hand or touching her thigh during the performance.

The hearing continues.