Accused victims of alleged abuse of telling 'complete fabrications'

During a hearing at Winchester Crown Court, it was claimed that individuals accusing a former defence solicitor of sexual assault have been spreading "misleading information" about him, including during his ongoing trial. Alan Harris, 72, from Thorn Park, Plymouth, is facing multiple charges including 12 counts of indecent assault, eight counts of sexual assault, and two counts of rape, with incidents allegedly occurring between 1989 and 2015.

Defence barrister Christine Agnew KC argued that the testimonies from the alleged victims contained "fabricated stories" and stressed that Mr Harris denies all allegations. In her closing statement, Ms Agnew emphasized that the jury should find the alleged victims' accounts unreliable while viewing Mr Harris as credible.

Throughout the trial, evidence suggested that the alleged assaults took place at Plymouth Magistrates' Court, Charles Cross Police Station, and in Mr Harris's office and car. Ms Agnew described the falsehoods in the claims as spreading "like weeds" and urged the jury to look beyond them.

She highlighted that proving guilt for the offences Mr Harris faces requires meeting a "high threshold," which she claimed the prosecution had not achieved. She suggested there were signs of "collusion and contamination" in the allegations, leading to what she called "full-blown lies" about Mr Harris.

"Once falsehoods are told, they cannot simply be undone," Ms Agnew remarked. She also noted that the alleged victims had criminal records and a history of dishonesty, contrasting their lives with that of Mr Harris.

Ms Agnew emphasized that Mr Harris had a long career with "hundreds and thousands" of satisfied clients, including some of those who later accused him. She dismissed the notion that these clients used him solely to avoid imprisonment, stating, "He was skilled, but not a magician, as many clients still served time in jail."

The trial continues as the jury considers the evidence and testimonies presented by both the defence and prosecution.

Author: Sophia Brooks