Jury out over man charged with 11 sex offences
THE jury in the trial of a Gwynedd man accused of 11 sexual offences were sent out on Tuesday to consider a verdict.
Leslie Brindle, 70, of Madog Street, Porthmadog, denies all the charges, some of which are alleged to have taken place almost 30 years apart.
They include indecently exposing himself to young girls and inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Summing up at Caernarfon Crown Court, Judge Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones told the jury that it was up to them to decide whether it was Brindle or his accusers who have not been telling the truth.
Prosecutor Elen Owen suggested the evidence against Brindle was “overwhelming”.
Addressing the jury, she said: “Some of the accusers have never even met each other, yet the defence case is that this is only a mere coincidence. The defendant has displayed sneaky behaviour which has escalated in seriousness.
“He’s told you a pack of lies as he isn’t man enough to admit that he derives sexual pleasure from young girls. All of the evidence points to that.”
Sion ap Mihangel, defending, said: “Unless you have surety, you must return a not guilty verdict. That’s the system we operate in this country.
“Is the evidence you’ve heard truthful, accurate and reliable?
“You’ve heard yourself from an expert in the field, with Mr Brindle suffering from epilepsy, that seizures can have an impact on sexual activity. If there’s an element of doubt, Mr Brindle is entitled to that benefit.”
Urging the jury to consider all 11 charges separately, the judge also asked them to put aside any emotion.