Sex offender on trial over abuse claims

guilty to sexually abusing 12 boys following a police investigation.

Scholes, of Newsome Road South, Newsome, has pleaded not guilty to four charges of indecent assault relating to the two complainants who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The court heard that the abuse allegedly ended after the boy refused to have sex with Scholes while they were sharing a tent.

The second complainant has alleged that Scholes indecently assaulted him while they were on a canal boat at Skipton.

In a police interview the first complainant described how Scholes told him he was special.

“At first I thought he was a right nice decent guy. Like a friend. Someone I looked up to,” he said.

He said he had never told anyone about the abuse, but when he saw the headline in the paper that day he went to the police.

During his evidence to the jury the man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was asked by Mr Smith whether he had made an application for compensation.

“I’m not interested in any money whatsoever,” he replied.

“What are you interested in?” asked Mr Smith. “Justice,” said the complainant. The man said he had not read the details of the newspaper article and had not discussed the abuse with other victims.

Scholes told police that he did know both complainants, but denied any sexual touching.

The trial continues.