Judge calls abuse claims case ‘unusual’ as deliberations begin

THE jury in the case of an ex-nurse accused of inventing a murderous Westminster VIP paedophile ring has been sent out to start its deliberations.

Carl Beech, pictured, once only known in media reports as ‘Nick’, alleged senior politicians, Army top brass and security chiefs were involved in sadistic sexual abuse and that he witnessed them murder three boys in the 1970s and 1980s. The Metropolitan Police investigated his claims, raided homes and interviewed alleged suspects, but the £2 million Operation Midland ended without making a single arrest, jurors at Newcastle Crown Court have heard.

Northumbria Police later investigated his claims and the vicar’s son was charged with 12 counts of perverting the course of justice and one of fraud, which he denies.

The prosecution has alleged that Beech, 51, from Gloucester, deliberately and persistently lied to police and fraudulently claimed £22,000 in criminal injuries compensation.

The prosecution described him as a “manipulative paedophile” after telling the jury he has previously admitted downloading indecent images of boys, and voyeurism.

The defence case is that the events he described did happen, or that Beech genuinely believed that they did.

Mr Justice Goss described the case as “unusual”, telling the jury: “Normally those accused of having committed sexual offences are the ones on trial. This case is the reverse of that situation.”