Harris trial: eight charges dropped

JUDGE DIRECTS JURY TO FIND 'NOT GUILTY'

- By CARL EVE

A RETIRED criminal defence solicitor accused of sexually assaulting a number of clients learned that eight of the 30 charges against him have been dropped by prosecutors.

Alan Harris, now aged 72 and from Thorn Park in Plymouth, is currently on trial at Winchester Crown Court, Hampshire. He initially faced 30 charges covering indecent assault, rape and buggery.

However, following evidence presented in court this week by complainant Female A - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - the jury was addressed by the presiding Judge Angela Morris. Judge Morris directed the jury of nine men and three women to return not guilty verdicts on eight charges, including charges of six counts of indecent assault, one count of rape and one count of buggery upon Male B.

The offences were alleged to have taken place between May 1992 and May 2002 at Harris’ office, at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court and at Male B's home address.