A MAN accused of sexually abusing a child has told a jury the allegations he denies are “monstrous lies”.
John Ashley Dobson, aged 64, has pleaded not guilty to two charges. Each alleges that Dobson, of Croft Close, Brough, near Kirkby Stephen, indecently assaulted a girl of primary school age more than quarter of a century ago.
Now an adult, the female was cross-examined this morning (THURS) about allegations she made in a police interview last year.
Dobson’s barrister, Clare Thomas, suggested to the woman that neither of the alleged incidents actually occurred. “Yes they have,” she replied.
The woman added: “I have not made them up at all.”
Earlier this afternoon, Dobson gave evidence to jurors and said he hadn’t ever attended the location at which one of the alleged indecent assaults is said to have occurred.
Miss Thomas asked: “Are you responsible for either of the allegations that (she) has made against you?”
Dobson replied: “I am not.”
During cross-examination, Dobson told prosecutor Neville Biddle he believed the woman had been encouraged “to make false allegations”.
Asked by Mr Biddle whether he believed the woman had “come up with a whole lot of monstrous lies”, Dobson replied: “That’s correct.”
The trial continues.
