‘Sex claims fabricated’ is accused’s case, jury told
8:59am Friday 1st March 2013 in News
n A FATHER accused of abusing a girl claims the allegations against him are all “fabricated”.
Judge Peter Davies, summing up the case against Nicholas West, aged 56, said the defendant has no previous convictions.
West, of Elmwood Grove in Farnworth, denies nine counts of indecent assault and five counts of gross indecency with a child.
The offences are alleged to have taken place many times over a 10-year period.
Judge Davies said the alleged victim is said to have cut her hair because she did not want to be a girl any more when she was a toddler.
The court heard she once hid and mother could not find her, which the prosecution claim was a cry for help due to the abuse she was suffering.
West had the backing of his family including his former wife, who gave evidence saying he was a genuine person who is “caring and considerate” and provided a “high level of commitment” to his children, Bolton Crown Court heard yesterday.
Judge Davies said the complainant in the case said in evidence she remembers the defendant’s prickly beard from when he abused her and said he became “more rough” with her as she got older.
The jury of eight women and four men were directed to find West not guilty of four counts due to lack of evidence.
The jury continues to deliberate their verdict.
