A jury in the case of a former aide to Prime Minister Tony Blair who is accused of sexually assaulting three teenage boys will retire to consider its verdict today.

Martyn Locklin, 41, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, is on trial at Teesside Crown Court and faces a total of eight charges, including two counts of rape and allegations of indecent assault. He denies all the charges.

Mr Locklin is a member of Great Aycliffe Town Council and Sedgefield Borough Council.