A MAN has gone on trial accused of indecent offences against children and child cruelty.
Geoffrey Dempsey, 59, of Moorcock Close, Eston, Middlesbrough, is appearing before Teesside Crown Court on 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.
Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said the allegations involved two young children and were said to have happened more than ten years ago.
One of the alleged victims, now an adult, told the jury he thought Mr Dempsey was "evil" and claimed he was subjected to indecent assaults.
Defence barrister Rod Hunt put it to one of the alleged victims that he was lying, which he denied.
The case continues.
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