A complainant in a historic sexual abuse trial against a member of the "Bolton 7" has denied “colluding” with another man involved.

Norman Williams is on trial accused of sexually abusing three boys in the late 90s to early 2000s.

Bolton Crown Court heard he was a member of the Bolton 7, a group whose case involving homosexual sexual activity with a 16-year-old went to the European Court of Humans Rights and who were later given compensation.

Williams, 58, of Leigh Road, Atherton, is accused of three counts of rape and nine counts of indecent assault against the first complainant.

He is also accused of four counts of indecent assault, three of rape and one of actual bodily harm against the second complainant.

And against the third complainant he is accused of one indecent assault.

The second complainant gave evidence to the court on Friday and was accused of colluding with the first one at the time they went to the police about the allegations in 2019.

Colin Buckle, representing Williams, asked if the first complainant had “encouraged you to make this complaint now on the basis that you may be financially rewarded via compensation?"

The man replied: “No, this is not for the money.”

The court heard the two men had gone to the police three days apart in 2019.

The second complainant was asked if he had sent a message to first one referencing the first one saying the Bolton 7 had received £15,000 in compensation.

He initially said “that has been twisted” but when shown the messages said “I probably did".

Mr Buckle asked him: “Have you researched criminal injuries compensation board with reference to people being compensated for sexual abuse?”

The man replied: “I did look at that.”

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Mr Buckle looked at messages which made references to them ringing each other.

He said: “There have been telephone called between you where you have talked about the evidence.”

The man replied: “No we never colluded.”

Mr Buckle asked if during the period if the first complainant said anything “about the fact he had gambling debts, potential of about £70,000".

The man replied: “I never knew that.

“It is a shock.”

Williams denies the charges before him.

He states there was consensual sexual activity between the first two complainants when they were above the age of 16 and that nothing happened with the final complainant.

The trial, before Judge Jon Close, continues.