A JURY returns to court today to consider its verdicts in the case of a councillor accused of indecency with young girls.

Harry Devine, 53, denies indecently assaulting an 11-year-old and inciting her and a friend to commit an act of gross indecency, when both were aged 12.

The Easington, Co Durham, district councillor is alleged to have developed "an unhealthy obsession" with the girl involved in two of the charges, and to having a general sexual interest in young females.

One of the incidents is alleged to have taken place when he undressed the girl at his house on their return from Scarborough, where she had fallen into a lake, while the other two offences were said to relate to him asking to see the girls' private parts "for a tenner".

He claims the girl made up the allegations because he had been annoyed with her after she asked him to have sex with her.

Yesterday at Durham Crown Court under cross-examination by Adrian Dent, Mr Devine was asked to explain press clippings of a sexual nature involving young girls, found in his home in Salters Lane, Wingate, east Durham.

One was headlined, Corrie's Corkers, Amazing Sexy Pics Show How Soap Schoolgirls Have Come of Age.

Mr Dent suggested this reflected a sexual fantasy of his, but Mr Devine said he was merely a fan of Coronation Street.

Following the summing up of the evidence by Judge Guy Kearl, the jury retired to consider its verdict. But, having failed to reach unanimous verdicts on all three charges after 75 minutes, they were sent home for the night.