Pensioner denies child sex allegations
September 27, 2005 07:05
AN 80-year-old grandfather accused of a string of sex offences against young girls has told a jury none of the allegations against him are true.
John Drury is said to have indecently assaulted eight girls while they played at his Colchester home during the early 1990s.
But the pensioner took to the stand at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday to deny the claims.
Martyn Levett, defending, listed numerous allegations, which Drury repeatedly denied.
Drury, of Cambridge Road, told the court he had played various games with youngsters including hide and seek but denied any wrongdoing.
In police interviews, Drury said: “I may have invited children to my house and done some silly things but I have never had sex with children.”
He added he realised it was a “bit unusual” for a man of his age to run around playing games with children but said they had insisted he joined in.
Mr Levett recalled an allegation that Drury had got one girl on his bed before removing her clothes and indecently assaulting her.
He said: “Is there any truth in that?” and the pensioner replied: “No, there is no truth in that.”
Mr Levett put another allegation to Drury, made by another girl, that the former insurance salesman had been in bed with her, pulled her top up, kissed her lips and pushed his tongue into her mouth and licked her nipples.
Mr Levett said: “Did you do that to her?” And again, Drury replied “no”.
Drury told the court that, at the time of the alleged incidents, his wheelchair bound wife, Christine, and a lodger who did not go out to work, had both been at the six-bedroom house but had not reported anything amiss.
Drury said the youngsters who he is accused of abusing also returned to his home after the alleged incidents.
Previously the court heard how Drury told one of the girls pornographic tales about princesses and knights having sex.
It was said Drury, who was said to be a “trusted” and “respected” member of the Jehovah's Witness Church, would invite young girls to his luxury home with a large garden, pond and miniature train set.
Drury is charged with 12 counts of indecent assault of a girl and two of indecency with a child under 14.
The trial continues.