[A] JURY in the trial of a Maryport man facing allegations of historical child rapes and sexual abuse has retired to consider its verdicts.
Richard John Winn, 56, denies a total of 12 charges. These allege both the historical and repeated rape of one pre-teen girl and multiple sexual assaults of another.
A jury has watched interviews given by both females – now adults – to police officers who were informed of the allegations.
But when he gave evidence in court earlier this week, Winn, of Derwent Avenue, Maryport, said he had “definitely not” committed the alleged offences.
He had “no idea”, he insisted, why allegations had been made.
After hearing all evidence, jurors today (THURS) listened to closing speeches made by the respective barristers.
Recorder Julie Clemitson then summed up the case, before inviting the jury to retire and start their deliberations.