Abuse trial in deliberations

A jury of eight men and four women listened to the closing arguments.

A jury will today continue its deliberations in a Taranaki sex case in which it is alleged a man abused three young complainants more than 10 years ago.

Ricky Dean Mclennan has been on trial in the New Plymouth District Court since Monday, after pleading not guilty to 26 sexual abuse charges including indecent assault, unlawful sexual connection and attempted rape.

Seven Crown witnesses have given evidence, including the three complainants who were aged between 10 and 14 years at the time the alleged offending took place in 2005-2006.

It is alleged Mclennan indecently touched the complainants and performed other sex acts on them.

Pornographic

Yesterday, the Crown case was completed and defence lawyer Susan Hughes QC said no evidence would be offered in the 29-yearold’s defence.

A jury of eight men and four women then listened to closing arguments made by the prosecution and defence.

Prosecutor Cherie Clarke said all three complainants were reliable, honest and credible witnesses who have provided consistent accounts about what happened to them.

She said the male complainant, who was aged 10 at the time of the alleged offending and living in a ‘‘vulnerable’’ situation, had been ‘‘betrayed’’ by Mclennan.

Clarke said the young boy was ‘‘groomed’’ by Mclennan into sexual activity, which began when the pair watched pornographic movies together.

She refuted the defence position that the activity was connected to sexual experimentation.

Clarke acknowledged Mclennan had a tough life, estranged from his own family and spending time in foster care, but he was aware of what he was doing.

She said he took advantage of the complainants to satisfy his own sexual needs.

In her address, Hughes QC said ‘‘context was everything’’ in this case.

Mclennan, while 17 at the time, was described as physically and mentally immature by two witnesses at the trial, she said.

‘‘He was no more than a boy himself.’’

She said Mclennan and two of the complainants were often left unsupervised by adults.

‘‘They turned to each other for comfort; they experimented with each other sexually. These were never crimes,’’ she said.

She said the shame and embarrassment two of the complainants felt as adults about what happened between them and Mclennan meant they now had a ‘‘desire to re-write history’’.

Hughes QC added there was also no evidence Mclennan had used force to make the pair do anything with him.

With regards to the third complainant, Mclennan denied the alleged offending against her took place, she said.

Prior to the beginning of yesterday’s proceedings, six charges related to the third complainant were dismissed.

Judge Tony Zohrab summed up the case for the jury before deliberations began regarding the remaining 20 charges.