Martial arts teacher says abuse claims are ‘lies’

A martial arts teacher accused of grooming and sexually abusing underage girls for nearly two decades told a jury at the High Court in Livingston his alleged victims were either lying or mistaken.

Gary Goodrum, 38, said he had “no idea” why eight women had given evidence that he committed sexual offences against them.

Giving evidence in his own defence yesterday, Goodrum insisted the allegations – all made by former students of his Gary Lee Martial Arts Academy in Fife – were false.

Under questioning by Bert Kerrigan QC, defending, Goodrum refuted the details of each of the 10 charges against him.

Asked what effect the court case had had on him, he replied: “It’s completely destroyed my life. I’ve lost everything.”

He claimed the allegations started after his former helpers, Jane Cousland and her son, left his academy to start a rival martial arts club in 2016.

Mr Kerrigan asked: “Why has this series of allegations of under 16 activity been made?”

He answered: “When Jane left everything went belly up. At that stage everything collapsed.”

Mr Kerrigan asked: “Any idea why anybody would want to make these allegations against you if they were not true?” He replied: “I’ve no idea.”

The trial continues.