A MAN accused of indecent offences against children and child cruelty yesterday told a jury that the allegations against him were a "load of nonsense".

Geoffrey Dempsey, 59, of Moorcock Close, Eston, Middlesbrough, is on trial at Teesside Crown Court facing four charges of cruelty to a person aged under 16, three offences of indecent assault on a male and one of indecency with a child. He denies all the charges.

The court previously heard the allegations involved two young children and were said to have happened more than ten years ago.

Mr Dempsey told the jury the allegations were a "pack of lies" and repeatedly denied any sexual offences and said there had been no child cruelty. When asked by defence barrister Rod Hunt if there was any truth in the allegations he said: "None whatsoever."

The case continues