Exclusive:Allan Grimson's lawyer claims defendant is innocent in 'most extraordinary' rape trial
Allan Grimson has denied charges of rape and indecent assault.
Four men who reported that they were sexually abused by a murderer may have in fact given their consent, a lawyer has argued.
Former petty officer Allan Grimson was jailed for life in 2001 for the murders of Nicholas Wright and Sion Jenkins in the late 1990s. He is serving a life sentence for these crimes.
The 66-year-old Royal Navy veteran is now on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of the rape of a teenager and indecent assault charges against three other male complainants, including a 14-year-old boy, dating between February 1994 and November 1999. Grimson denies the charges.
The prosecution has argued that Grimson conceded the offences to officers when he was first arrested on suspicion of murder in December 1999, although he later changed his account of events.
In court this afternoon (Thursday, July 23), the jury was told by Grimson’s lawyer, John Femi-Ola, that accounts of the incidents were not only inconsistent, but may have indicated that consent was given. The solicitor pointed to an example with one complainant who was kissing Grimson in his North End flat.
He said: “You may think this is the most extraordinary case. A man who has convictions for two murders, who volunteered where he had buried the deceased, and pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity, has yet maintained that he didn’t commit the offences charged in this indictment.
“We say maybe it’s because he isn’t guilty of these crimes. The matter was investigated, statements taken, and he was informed in 2004 by the investigating officer tha no further action was going to be taken.
“The real question in this case is whether the complainants consented. The prosecution says they didn’t, but we submit that’s not so.”
Mr Femi-Ola also told the jury that a journalist covering the story at the time “marched” one of the complainants to a police station, to speak with officers about Grimson.
He said: “She marched him down there - she was writing a book to sell. What was it she was scheming to do?
“Tracing back to the journalist, writing a book and telling a story; in this country, justice is not for sale at any cost.”
The jury is expected to retire tomorrow (Friday, July 24) to reach a verdict.
(Proceeding)