JURORS have begun deliberating in a trial over alleged historical sex abuse on four young girls in Oxford in the 1970s and 1980s.
Arthur Shefford denies nine counts of indecent assault as well as one count of indecency with a child.
Prosecutors claim that the 77-year-old of Abingdon Road, Oxford, indecently assaulted his four child victims who were aged between four and 11, on multiple occasions over a 10-year period.
Read also: Latest court results for OxfordshireDuring his trial at Oxford Crown Court, jurors have heard from the alleged victims who claim they were sexually assaulted by Shefford.
One woman said that she was abused while on a horse Shefford owned called Sugar.
In a video interview with police played to the court she recounted what she claims happened and said that abuse ‘became normal’ and attacks would happen on multiple occasions.
She said: “All of his times with me were opportunistic. It was not on a daily basis or a weekly basis, they were opportunistic.”
Read also: Taxi company reassures customers over rape rumoursIt was also revealed that Shefford had previously admitted two separate sexual offences against children in 1979.
Shefford, meanwhile, took to the witness box last week to deny any wrongdoing.
He said that none of the abuse ever took place and said he had never taken the children for rides on his horse, where some of the alleged offences are said to have occurred.
After hearing closing speeches from prosecutors and the defence the jury panel was sent out to deliberate yesterday afternoon in order to reach a verdict.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article