[A] JURY in the trial of a man who denies the alleged indecent assaults of a boy and girl during the 1970s has retired to consider its verdicts.
William Christopher Harrison, a 65-year-old farm worker, faces a total of five charges which arise out of alleged historical incidents.
Harrison denies three charges which allege that he indecently assaulted a young girl of primary school age during the 1970s. He also denies two charges which further allege indecent assaults of a boy earlier in the decade.
Harrison, of Stainton, near Carlisle, has been on trial at the city’s crown court for the past week, during which time a jury has listened to allegations which the male and female made during police interviews.
Giving evidence, Harrison – who has no criminal convictions, cautions or reprimands to his name – replied “No I haven’t” when asked whether he had sexually assaulted the girl. Harrison also stated “No I did not” when his barrister asked whether he committed any of the alleged offences against the boy.
Judge James Adkin summed up the evidence in the case at the crown court this morning (TUES). A jury of six men and six women then retired to begin their deliberations.
